Tim Henman became the first British player to reach the semi-finals of the French Open for 41 years today when he clinched a 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 win over Argentina's Juan Ignacio Chela.
Ninth seed Henman faces third seeded Argentinian Guillermo Coria, who knocked out 1998 champion Carlos Moya, for a place in the final.
Mike Sangster, back in 1963 was the last British man to get to the last four, and should Henman overcome the formidable hurdle of hot favourite Coria, he will be the first Briton in the final since Bunny Austin in 1937. Fred Perry remains the only British man to have won the French Open in 1935.
Until this year, Henman's best Grand Slam performances had all come on grass at Wimbledon where he has been a semi-finalist four times.
Against Chela, the 22nd seeded clay court specialist, Henman was irresistible. He raced through the first set in just 30 minutes with two breaks in the first and seventh games by hitting winners at the net and from the baseline.
He opened the second set with another break, gave it back with a double fault in the second but carved out a crucial second in the third game with a wonderful drop volley.
A pinpoint accurate backhand volley set up set point in the second set which was wrapped up after 75 minutes when the Argentinian, far too one-dimensional with his baseline game, netted a return.
Henman broke the dispirited Chela again in the fifth game of the third set and then served two love games to go 5-3.
Chela held for 5-4 but Henman took the tie when an ace set up match point that was converted with another assured volley with Chela stranded out wide.
Filed by Aidan O'Doherty
