Tim Henman has triumphed in a tough four-set contest against Pete Sampras' conqueror Roger Federer to reach the semi-finals of Wimbledon for the third time inside four years. Although Henman looked to be cruising in the first two sets, Federer battled hard to break serve in the third and when the final set went down to a tie-break, the British number one had to call on all his experience and the deafening support of the Centre Court crowds to steal victory 7-5 7-6 (8-6) 2-6 7-6 (8-6).
Britain's great hope was first to break serve but Federer levelled the set at 4-4 before Henman broke back to lead 6-5 and served out for the set. The second set went with serve and resulted in a thrilling tie-break. Henman took the lead 3-1 but the Swiss teenager battled back and won the next five points, giving himself three set points. But Henman somehow managed to save all three and then took the tiebreak 8-6.
Despite the disappointment of losing that second set, Federer cruised through the third and lost only two games. But Henman immediately hit back, taking a 4-1 lead, although he was forced to save four break points, before Federer required treatment to his left thigh. After the re-start, Federer was forced to save four break points and the set continued in a similar fashion with both players being tested on their service games. At 5-2 up, Henman served for the match but Federer broke serve and did so again to level at 5-5.
Once again, the set went to a tie-break and once again Henman fought back when he looked down and out. Federer went 5-2 up before Henman won six of the next seven points to take the tie-break 8-6 and with it a place in the semi-finals against wild card Goran Ivanisevic.
"For the first two sets I think I played pretty much faultless tennis," summed up the British number one. "But I suppose it was inevitable that I was going to have a little dip. He got an early break in the third and that wasn't what I wanted. In the fourth set, it was important I stamped my authority on it early and I managed to do that. I started to play really well again and I'm 4-1 up and 15-40, and he's looking down and out. A double break and I think the match is over but he hung in there. There's so much pressure and you've got to deal with it but there's a lot of satisfaction that I've got over it," he added.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
