Tim Henman has fought back against Todd Martin in a five-set thriller to claim a Wimbledon quarter-final place. Trailing by two sets to one overnight and hampered by a back injury, Henman looked set for a disappointing exit from the All England Club. However, the British number one came out with a determined performance today to win the final two sets and book his place in the quarter-finals against Swiss teenager Roger Federer, yesterday's shock victor over defending champion Pete Sampras.
Roared on by a partisan Centre Court crowd, Henman completed a memorable 6-7 7-6 4-6 6-3 6-2 victory to gain revenge for his quarter-final defeat here at the hands of Martin in 1996. The sixth seed set the tone for today's fightback with an ace on the first point of the set which he went on to 6-3 which levelled the match at two sets a piece. Henman had firmly seized the initiative, and although Martin managed to force two break points on Henman's serve in the fourth game of the decider, the Briton's play was virtually unrecognisable from yesterday evening's. Having saved the break points, he proceeded to break Martin in the very next game and ensured victory with a second break before serving out for the win.
Henman has admitted that he was relieved to come through. "I scared myself a bit, but it was a different story today. Yesterday was difficult for lots of reasons but I knew I had to come out and really take it to Todd. I had to try and get the crowd involved and I was really pleased with my performance," said the British number one.
"When you're two sets to one down you have to try and get things going quickly and I did that and I'm pleased to get through. It wasn't my best night's sleep ever but I needed to take stock and I made a few changes today and it paid off. Yesterday the back was a little bit uncomfortable for me but you have to play with the cards you're dealt and I managed to get through," he said.
"Yesterday was a weird day for a number of reasons, hanging around a long time waiting to go on, I think I injured my back in the warm-up and then it stiffened up, and then Pete going out. I was thinking about that and it was a question of trying to focus on the job and in all honesty I didn't do that particularly well. I had to wipe the slate clean today," said Henman.
Filed by Greg McKevitt
