The emergence of Andy Murray has put a spring in the step of Tim Henman -- and the elder statesman of British tennis can't thank his young Scottish rival enough.

News photo Tim Henman returns a shot against Canada's Frank Dancevic in second-round action at the Japan Open at Tokyo's Ariake Colosseum on Tuesday. Henman won 6-2, 6-1. AP PHOTO

The 32-year-old Henman was in sprightly form during his 6-2, 6-1 thrashing of Frank Dancevic at the Japan Open on Tuesday and was quick to credit the arrival on the scene of Murray for his career renaissance.