Tim Henman, who knows all about the power of home support, has given himself the job of trying to switch it off at the Australian Open in Melbourne.

After two straight-sets victories, first over Moroccan Hicham Arazi and yesterday against Ecuador's Nicolas Lapentti, Henman's next opponent is Adelaide's Wayne Arthurs tomorrow.

And with every prospect of Queenslander Pat Rafter to follow, Henman will have disappointed a lot of the crowd if he reaches his first quarter-final at the championship.

''I probably won't have the majority of the support,'' said the number eight seed with obvious understatement.

''But I've enjoyed playing in front of a home crowd and I've enjoyed being the enemy, if you like.''

Asked if it was important in the context of the matches to quieten the fans as early as possible Henman answered: ''Yeah, that's a good tactic, not to give them too much to cheer about or get excited about. But I think I'm experienced enough. It will be a good atmosphere.''

Arthurs, based in London for the last three years and the son of a former Irish Davis Cup player, is ranked number 82 in the world and won their last meeting at the qualifying tournament for the 1994 French Open.

That counts for nothing now, but Henman has some more up-to-date knowledge. They were doubles partners in Adelaide last year and practised together there two weeks ago.

''The guy's got one of the best serves in the game,'' said Henman. But I like the fact that I know the way he's going to play.

''I've got to be able to deal with his serve and make sure I make him play as many balls as I can.''

Arthurs hopes Henman does not know everything.

''When we practised I tried not to give too many secrets away on my serve,'' said Arthurs.

''I just tried to put it so he could return a few. I have a few tricks up my sleeve.''

Experience was a key factor, Henman felt, in defeating 1999 semi-finalist Lapentti 6-1 7-6 7-6, although for the first hour quality tennis was doing the task for him.

The 26-year-old Briton breezed through that first set in 22 minutes. He dropped only three points on serve and one of his two breaks was to love.

At 5-4 and 40 love in the second, however, he was suddenly made to work for the win. Lapentti, having already saved one set point, saved four more before Henman took the tie-break 7-3.

''That was a real test mentally,'' he said. ''There was nothing I could do about it, but I was cursing myself to a certain extent and I was really pleased with the way I responded.

''But having got that set there was a sort of adrenaline rush and I continued to rush my game at the start of the next one.''

Lapentti broke twice for 3-0 but in that third game fell and had to have his ankle heavily bandaged.

''It perhaps gave me a chance to regroup mentally and calm down,'' said Henman.

''At this level and in sport you've got to take advantage of those things and I definitely picked my level up again.''

Another tie-break resulted and he went through to the last 32 on his second match point.

Henman is still suffering from a cold but said: ''I feel 100 per cent. I don't feel it's restricting me in any way .''

First seed to fall in the men's singles after all 16 had made it through the first round for the first time at the event since 1984 was Spanish Davis Cup hero Juan Carlos Ferrero.

Extrovert Australian Andrew Ilie came through 6-2 in the fifth against the number nine seed.

Defending champion Andre Agassi had an easy ride but number two Marat Safin, number three Pete Sampras, number 12 Rafter and number 13 Cedric Pioline all needed four sets.

Last year's women's semi-finalist Conchita Martinez lost to Switzerland's Emmanuelle Gagliardi, who had never previously got beyond the second round in 15 grand slams