Henman made it typically exciting today, but he came through his first round match against Soderling. Next up, Roger Federer. :blink:

I think Henman will put up a fight, but not nearly enough to stop Fed.

I think he'll surprise many, and put up a real tough fight!

Oh Styeffo I hope you are right. Bit unfortunate he won't get a days rest though aftre 5 sets. :blink:

my heart says Tim, my head says Fed

I think it is awful that they are playing this tommorrow. No rest for Heman after 5 sets will be a problem. Such a shame they meet this early, I am nto sayign Henman is anywhere near as good as Fed, but anyoen who appreciates grass court tennis will say that Henman has the form thsi year to go much further than round 2 so this draw is most unlucky and ill timed for him. Shame, I feel he has a lot of good tennis in him at the moment, but alas the grass season is over soon.

Very true.

I at least hope that it'll be an epic win for Henman, or perhaps, a last stand.

Well said :ok:

With the crowd behind him, Tim will be a test for Fed, but I just think that Fed has too much for Tim. From what I saw against Gasquet he looked in ominous touch, hit the ground running..

I was intrigued to see Tim state that Fed was the best that he'd played in his career. Quite a high compliment.

They get on really well off court, apparently.

I would like to have seen Tim and Gasquet both reach at least the last 8 along with Fed, and would certainly had been feasible, had the draw been kinder..

I really dont see what the tactic will be for tim, i really dont. If he tries to trade at the baseline, he'll just be overwhelmed, Gasquet could barely lengthen the rallies without being forced into submission by some ferocious Federer forehands. I suppose tim just has to play with what he's got, good placement serve, great instinctive net-play and a great reverse forehand. Unfortunately, Federer just does these things better than henman i feel, and its a tall, tall order.

As much as it pains me to say it, Fed in 3 sets :(

Thanks LDF.

I agree. I do feel that a lo of talent is wasted in Fed's part of the draw, compared to others like Nalby's and Nadal's.

It is a very tall order. I hope it isn't three sets, Tim deserves to acquit himself well and be part of a classic, even if he loses. I feel Tim needs to play like he has bene playing and be agressive and go to the net. He'll gain nothign by tentative play and baseline trading in rallies for sure, the onyl way he will win this is to go all out at what he does best and hope that it works on the day. Maybe the gods will eb on his side, cos whatever people say fortune come into this, and soemtimes it favours the brave. If he can lift himeslf and the crowd, he ha shis best chance. But definitley come to the net cos although Fed is good at that, he isn't used to doing it every shot. Havign said that, his forehand is too good and can pass almost anything. Just give us a great match please :pray:

Absolutely. Tim needs to be brave, take risks, go to the net, hit the lines. No point in exchanging baseline rallies with Fed, as it will make for one short match.

I heard him say that he feels that this is the first match at SW19 for ages where he does not feel under pressure. Hopefully that will be reflected in an uninhibited game from him. Even a minor classic would be fantastic!

In his interview about this, Fed mentioned his 2001 defeat by Tim. This man really remembers his defeats, doesn't he!! I recall one match in the past where he mentioned that his next opponent had beaten him in junior doubles about 8-9 years ago, and his opponent didn't even remember the match! I think that the rematch was short..

It's true, there's too much of the pool of grasscourt talent (more of a puddle?!) in this part of the draw, and to be honest the other parts of the draw are currently of much less interest as a result.

Could not agree more with you Petalp that there is a big load of talent in this part of the draw, and more suited to grass too. What a shame. And I cannto beleive that players like Roddick and Nadal have been given a criminally easy draw in comparison, as has Nalby. Well Murray played well today, so maybe he can upset roddick in round 3 if he make sit.

tim has no chance whatsoever at all. so it's nailed on that he'll win. ;)

Totally Agreed!

agreed. but it's a hell of a glamour-tie isn't it? :P

Hey all! :D
I'm off to centre court tomorrow!

Roger v Fed, I can't wait!!!

Will def be cheering Tim on!

Roger v. Fed ?? That should be an interesting match. :P

I for one will certainly be watching. Henman is playins some good Tennis now! But Federer looks Sublime!! against Gasquet.

To even try and unsetttle Federer Henman has to come to net, but I dont even see that worrying Federer once he has his range on his passing shots. 3-0 Federer

Hi STP! :D

How was the match from courtside view?? Fed looked awesome from TV perspective. Lucky you , to get to see both players