Henman refuses to take Corretja challenge lightly
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Your support makes all the difference.The thwacks of the shots on the practice lawns at Wimbledon yesterday were accompanied by encouraging nods from Tim Henman. "Nice and green," the British No 1 said. "The bounce was a bit lower."
Acknowledging that the practice courts usually play similarly to the Championship courts, Henman added that he hoped the grass does not lose its sheen too quickly and produce the high bounces that frustrated his attacking game last year. Henman's potentially troublesome right shoulder was also holding up well in the workshop, and his preparation is concentrated on his opening round match against Alex Corretja next week.
When their names were paired yesterday, the consensus was that Corretja also seemed nice and green for Henman. The 29-year-old Spaniard has not advanced beyond the second round in three previous visits and has shunned the All England Club for various reasons since 1998.
Henman knows better than to take any opponent for granted. "Alex beat Pete Sampras on grass in the Davis Cup [last year]," he said. "He's a very experienced player."
Should he overcome Corretja, Henman could be on course for a third-round meeting with Martin Verkerk, the big-serving Dutchman.
Continuing the projection, Henman, who is in the opposite half of the draw to defending champion Lleyton Hewitt, may play the Argentinian David Nalbandian in the fourth round. Juan Carlos Ferrero, the French Open champion, or Sebastien Grosjean, who defeated Henman at Queen's last week, may be waiting in the quarter-finals, with Andre Agassi, the second seed, a possible opponent in the semis. Agassi plays Britain's Jamie Delgado in the first round.
Greg Rusedski is one of a clutch of big servers in Hewitt's quarter, though Andy Roddick will be waiting to ambush the British No 2 if they both advance to the second round. Hewitt has drawn a qualifier in the first two rounds.
The women's singles, which features an opening round match between 11th-seed Jelena Dokic, of Yugoslavia, and Britain's Elena Baltacha, has the potential to produce another Williams sisters final. Serena is projected to meet Jennifer Capriati in the quarter-finals and Justine Henin-Hardenne in the semis. Venus may play Lindsay Davenport in the quarter-finals and Kim Clijsters for a place in the final.
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