Henman surprised at easy progress

Tim Henman has surprised himself with his easy progress to the last 16 of Wimbledon.

Henman has dropped just one set in his three matches so far and faces Argentina’s David Nalbandian for a place in the quarter-finals this afternoon.

It is only the second time this year the British number one has won three matches in a row as he makes a comeback from shoulder surgery he had at the end of 2002.

And the 10th seed believes he is improving with every match after easing past Swedish qualifier Robin Soderling in just 94 minutes on Saturday evening.

Henman is well aware that Nalbandian is several steps above the level of opponent he has played so far, with Zib a lucky loser from qualifying, and second and third-round opponents Michael Llodra and Soderling also qualifiers.

Nalbandian reached the final at the All England Club 12 months ago, his defeat to Lleyton Hewitt his first experience of Centre Court.

All eight of the men’s fourth-round matches are scheduled for today, weather permitting, with the clash between Andre Agassi and Mark Philippoussis the pick of those in Henman’s half of the draw.

The world number one has won the last six of their meetings, but Philippoussis hammered down 27 aces in his third-round win over Radek Stepanek and it promises to be a titanic struggle.

Also in the bottom half of the draw, France’s Sebastien Grosjean takes on French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero and Germany’s Alexander Popp is up against Belgium’s Olivier Rochus.

In the top half of the draw, favourite Andy Roddick looks in for a tough encounter with Thailand’s Paradorn Srichaphan, fourth seed Roger Federer should be too good for Spain’s Feliciano Lopez,

Australian Open finalist Rainer Schuettler takes on Holland’s Sjeng Schalken while Max Mirnyi of Belarus is also in action against Sweden’s Jonas Bjorkman.