The teenager touted as the new Tim Henman aims to put the wind up his opening opponent after a bracing run along Brighton seafront.

National champion Lee Childs tries to blow away Armenian Sargis Sargsian in the first round of the Samsung Open at the Brighton Centre later today.

Childs, awarded a wild card into the main draw following his triumph in Telford, said: "I have never actually been to Brighton either to play or visit, but I am really enjoying it here.

"I went for a run for 15 minutes against the wind towards the West Pier. It was a serious wind I can tell you, but it was very good coming back.

"I know Sargsian is a steady player. He will be under pressure more than me, because he is playing a junior.

"I will just give it my all. Obviously I am not going to go out and swing like a maniac, but when I get a chance I will go for it. I'm not going to hold back."

Childs' domestic success has thrust him into the limelight. He is making his ATP Tour debut in Brighton and the 18-year-old from Somerset is relishing the opportunity to rub shoulders with Henman and Greg Rusedski.

"It's a great feeling being national champion," he said. "People are saying the next Henman could be coming along.

"It is nice people are thinking that I can be better, but I know I have got a lot of hard work to do.

"This is the hardest tournament I've ever played in and I'm just going in it to do as well as I can.

"Two weeks ago I was thinking about playing qualifying in Brighton and concentrating on doing well at the nationals.

"Now it is just a great feeling to be here, being around people like Tim and Greg and other senior players on the tour."

Worthing's Martin Lee, defeated by Childs in the quarter-finals at Telford, faces fellow Brit Barry Cowan in the first round tonight.

The winner meets Italian seventh seed Davide Sanguinetti or another of the Brits, Jamie Delgado.

TODAY'S ORDER OF PLAY Court One (from 10.30am): Woodruff (USA) v Hantschk (GER), Goellner (GER) v Arthurs (AUS), Cowan (GBR) v Lee (GBR), then not before 6.30pm Spadea (USA) v Hrbaty (SVK).

Not before 7.30pm Childs (GBR) v Sargsian (ARM), Sanguinetti (ITA) v Delgado (GBR).

Court Two (at 7pm): Davidson (GBR) and Freelove (GBR) v Lee (GBR) and Milligan (GBR).