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Greg Rusedski will go into the first Grand Slam of the season in confident mood having won the Heineken Open in Auckland.

The British number two was a set down to Frenchman Jerome Golmard in Saturday's rain-interrupted final in New Zealand but fought back to clinch his 11th career title 6-7 (0/7) 6-4 7-5.

It is the ideal Australian Open preparation for Rusedski, who has faces an opener against home player Scott Draper in Melbourne.

If successful against Draper, winner of the 1998 Stella Artois Championships at Queen's Club, another home favourite Mark Philippoussis could deny Rusedski a third-round meeting with compatriot Tim Henman.

Rusedski was the sixth seed in Auckland, and his victory against Golmard followed even more impressive wins over Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic and Czech Jiri Novak.

Meanwhile, Henman will do well to keep last week's Australian Hardcourt title win in Adelaide fresh in his mind as he chases the first Grand Slam crown of his career.

Henman, the sixth seed following the withdrawal of Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero, is one of the favourites for the Australian Open title and begins his campaign against home player Todd Larkham.

He said: "I'm pleased with my first-round draw. Todd's been around for a few years and is trying to fight his way back after spending much of the last couple of years sidelined with injury."

But Henman refused to contemplate the mouthwatering prospect of a first Grand Slam clash with his Davis Cup partner Rusedski.

Henman added: "There are too many good players out there for anybody to predict who's going to be playing who in which round, so I'll just take each match as it comes."

Worthing's Martin Lee, who has gained automatic entry to a Grand Slam for only the second time in his career on account of an improved world ranking of 103, has been handed a difficult start against Spaniard Francisco Clavet.

Defending champion Andre Agassi faces a tough test to regain his title after the draw pitted him in a possible last 16 meeting with Andy Roddick, followed by a quarter-final match-up with either Pete Sampras or Marat Safin.

Lleyton Hewitt, the top seed and home favourite, meets Spain's Alberto Martin and will be confident of going all the way provided he fully recovers from a recent bout of chickenpox.

Martina Hingis must get past both Venus and Serena Williams if she is to reach the final of the women's event for the sixth consecutive year.

Serena must get past a dangerous first round match against former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez, while defending champion Jennifer Capriati starts against Croatian Silvija Talaja.

Rusedski said: "I think with having three-set matches every round nothing surprised me when I dropped a set.

"I just raise my level when I get behind in a tough match. Whenever I've needed to lift, I've managed to lift and that is the key.

"Sometimes the best opportunity is right after a guy wins a set and he has a little dip.

"The great players like Sampras and Agassi win a set and don't let up, they come right out very strong in the next set."

The Frenchman said: "I was very nervous, especially at the end of the match.

"At the beginning, I tried to play my game like I did the whole week, but the greatest difference was he was a leftie, so he read my services better.

"It was difficult to believe I could win the match and when it was close I lost my concentration. I need more finals."