After taking the first set to a tie-break, Rusedski could not hold his own against Joyce, who produced a series of winning passing shots while Rusedski fumbled many of his opportunities.In the final set, Rusedski managed to save three match points before he a hit another poor backhand, a volley into the net, to end the match.. He's a great player and I think one day the people in Canada will respect him for his tennis."Rusedski insisted that the crowd's reaction did not affect his performance, and he almost seemed to enjoy the experience "There was such excitement," he said. In any other match, Joyce would have been just another American who travelled north of the border to play in the Canadian Open. But this time it was as if he was a homegrown Canadian."They weren't cheering for me," Joyce said "They were cheering because he was public enemy No 1.

"It was an experience I'll never forget."Spectators continued to subject Rusedski to periodic jeering throughout the match, and they eagerly supported his opponent's efforts. He knows that his recent Davis Cup success has only increased the acceptance he received at Wimbledon."It was the best experience I ever had in tennis at Wimbledon," Rusedski said. "The ball missed me, so it's OK."Although the reception was unfriendly, Rusedski is at least sure of his popularity in Britain. Rusedski did not appear to be bothered, and he smiled broadly as he walked on to the court.Neither a tennis ball, which was thrown at him when he arrived, nor a large banner in French, which translated to "Rusedski is crazy about the Queen," distressed him."That doesn't bother me," Rusedski insisted. Born and raised in Quebec province, Rusedski recently switched his allegiance to his mother's native Britain. "It didn't hurt my feelings," said Rusedski, who lost 7-6, 6-3 to the American Michael Joyce in the first round "I thought I'd get a difficult reaction.

I prepared for it and I expected it."Rusedski was taunted by a derisive crowd, and even before he ventured on court the mere mention of his name by the tournament announcer brought a resounding chorus of boos. SANDRA HARWITT reports from Montreal Greg Rusedski was accorded a traitor's reception when he returned to the Canadian Open in his home town of Montreal yesterday.On a hot, humid afternoon, a nationalistic crowd let Rusedski know that since he had rejected Canada they would reject him. We came through the junior ranks together and at the time he was the best in the world," Henman said.The Britons Andrew Richardson and Miles Maclagan both suffered first- round defeats.. The British No 5, from Oxford, went a set behind but fought back to clinch a 3-6, 6-1, 6- 4 win over the former junior world No 1.Henman, who suffered a surprise second-round defeat in last week's Manchester Open, also suffered a scare in the third set before sealing victory in 1hr 53min "I knew it was going to be tough. Steven, who made 70 per cent of his first serves, felt this helped him through the crucial third set.The Dutchman Richard Krajicek, ranked 14th in the world, successfully came through the qualifying event after failing to secure one of the wild cards which ultimately went to the seventh-ranked Goran Ivanisevic and four Canadian players.Krajicek had not planned on playing in the event. But after losing in the first round at Wimbledon he was eager for the competition and did not resent having to qualify.Tim Henman overcame Australia's Grant Doyle to move into the last 16 of the Northern Electric Open at Newcastle yesterday.