The sixth seed recovered from a 4-1 deficit in the opening set to book his place in the second round and a clash with Belgium’s Xavier Malisse, who was briefly coached by Henman’s former long-time coach David Felgate.

Henman was broken in the first game of the match, a number of unforced errors giving Blanco the opportunity to immediately gain the upper hand with a backhand return winner.

However, he recovered quickly and there was no stopping the 27-year-old as he broke Blanco in the eighth and 10th games to complete a remarkable turnaround.

The first five games of the second set went with serve - Henman saving a break point to keep in front at 3-2 - before Blanco called for treatment for an apparent foot injury.

But just as the trainer was strapping the Spaniard’s right foot, the first rain of the day fell, forcing the players off court.

Play was eventually able to resume at 2pm and it was Henman who appeared revitalised by the break, winning the first four points on the resumption to break Blanco’s serve, and then saving two break points to forge a 5-2 lead.

And although Blanco held serve to reduce the deficit, Henman produced a breathtaking forehand winner cross court on his way to serving out for the second set 6-3 and a two-set lead.

Henman had the only break points of the third set in the ninth game, but Blanco recovered from 0-40 down and a tie-break was required.

The Spaniard had the early advantage at 2-0 but as five points in a row went against the serve, Henman fought back to lead 6-5.

Blanco saved that match point but gifted Henman another on his own serve with a backhand sliced wide, slamming his racket to the ground in frustration.

Henman accepted the opportunity, putting away an overhead to seal a victory just minutes before the rain fell again and the covers were dragged back into place on court.