Henman eases into semis

Tim Henman is a man in a hurry to make history.

That’s how it looked tonight as he became the first British man for 41 years to reach the semi-final of the French Open on a day of shocks and showers at Roland Garros.

Henman saved his most ruthless performance yet at this remarkable tournament for today’s quarter-final in which he dismantled the tennis game of clay-court specialist Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina in just one hour and 50 minutes to record a 6-2 6-4 6-4 victory.

On the way he overtook his grandfather Henry Billington, who reached the quarter-final here in 1939, and entered such noted company as Sydney Jacob in 1929, Fred Perry in 1935 and 1936, Bunny Austin in 1935 and 1937 and Mike Sangster in 1963 – all Britons who have reached semi-finals here.

And now who is to say he will not go all the way on the red clay he used to hate and emulate Perry, who went on to win the title in 1935 and remains the only Briton to have done so?

But even though Henman now faces an even tougher test in Argentinian third seed Guillermo Coria in the semi-final the way he is playing no-one should bet against it.

Unlike his four previous opponents, who all inhabited the lower echelons of the world’s top 100, Chela was number 22 seed here, the third-best player on clay this season and a dangerous opponent on his favourite surface.

It had been the most frustrating of days. Henman had spent most of it waiting and wondering whether he would get on to Court Phillippe Chatrier as the showers sent players and spectators alike scurrying for cover at regular intervals.

On an afternoon which saw the demise of both Williams sisters, it was a shade before 7pm local time when his quarter-final eventually got under way in the flattest of atmospheres in a stadium which was barely a third full.

But Henman could not have started in more convincing style.

He had emphasised beforehand how important it was to impress his aggressive, net-rushing style on the baseline-hugging Argentinean and the first point, in which he stole in behind an approach shot and dispatched the crispest of winning volleys, illustrated perfectly what he had in mind.

He broke that first Chela service game and reinforced the advantage in the seventh game when he broke again, his all-court style causing all sorts of problems for Chela, at 24 younger by five years but not nearly as fluid in movement.

Henman was required to save two break points in the eighth game but still managed to serve out to take the set in fine style.

The second set began in curious style with three successive breaks of serve as both men sought to attack.

But again it was Henman who drove home the advantage, Henman speedier about the court and more precise with his groundstrokes, one ripping backhand down the line securing the third game.

Chela had few answers mainly because Henman’s game these days carries menace from all directions.

He saved a break point on serve in the eighth game when his touch on a half-volley drop shot was exquisite.

It proved decisive because he went on to hold serve thereon to take the set.

Henman never looked in trouble in the final set, certainly not from the point he broke Chela’s serve in the fifth game with a great cross-court forehand.

Henman, whose new coach Paul Annacone assisted Sampras to greatness, could go one better than that when he plays Coria on Friday.

It is a big ask because the little Argentinian has lost only one game on clay out of the last 36.

But then nothing appears beyond this man chasing history.