Tim Henman was today hoping to lift the hearts of a nation by becoming the first British player to reach a men’s singles final at Wimbledon for 63 years.

Pete Sampras, taken to the brink by Britain’s Barry Cowan on Wednesday, delivered an ominous warning to anyone with hopes of wresting his Wimbledon crown next week.

Britain's Jamie Delgado could provide no repeat of Barry Cowan's heroics as he went down in straight sets to Andre Agassi in the second round at Wimbledon.

It was one of the most sensational performances by a British tennis player that has ever been seen at Wimbledon, but before the tournament the name Barry Cowan would have drawn blank expressions even in his native Lancashire.

Britain's Barry Cowan pushed Pete Sampras to a five set thriller and the brink of the greatest upset in tennis history at Wimbledon.

Top seeded reigning champion Pete Sampras, of America, lost third set to unseeded Briton Barry Cowan 7-6 (7-5) in second round match.

Pete Sampras remained firmly on course for a record-equalling fifth straight Wimbledon title as he breezed through the first set of his second round clash with Britain’s Barry Cowan.

Virtual tennis unknown Barry Cowan was set to face the most daunting game of his career today when he faced reigning Wimbledon champion Pete Sampras.

Pete Sampras recorded a straight-sets victory over Francisco Clavet to open his defence of the men's title at Wimbledon.

Tennis fans in England were eagerly awaiting the start of Wimbledon today, with high hopes of serving up some British success.