Post by Taxigirl on Jun 30, 2004 11:18:00 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/3850089.stm
By Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Wimbledon
Tim Henman carries a nation's weighty expectation against Mario Ancic in the Wimbledon quarter-finals on Wednesday.
Having beaten Mark Philippoussis on Monday, the British No 1 now faces the Croatian 20-year-old who is unseeded.
The pair, who have never met before, are second on Centre Court, but showers are forecast this afternoon.
Roger Federer faces Lleyton Hewitt in the other showpiece men's match, while Serena Williams and Jennifer Capriati meet in the women's quarters.
Ancic may be ranked only 63 in the world but, like compatriot Goran Ivanisevic, he has a big serve and likes playing on grass.
He was the last man to beat Federer on the surface, in the first round of Wimbledon 2002, but Henman remains confident.
"He's a big guy with a big serve who likes to come forward," said Henman.
"I've got to make him play a lot of balls on the return but the way I'm playing, I think I've got a good chance."
While much of the home crowd will be focusing on Henman's progress, the third match on Centre Court promises to be spectacular.
Defending champion Federer trails 7-4 in career meetings with 2002 winner Hewitt, but has won their last two encounters.
"I believe I can beat him," said Hewitt. "He's the best player out there at the moment and, sure, I'm the underdog.
"But I believe in my ability and I've played well enough against him in the past."
Second seed Andy Roddick has yet to drop a set but could face a tough time against experienced campaigner Sjeng Schalken in the second match on Court One.
Sebastien Grosjean has moved through the draw with little fuss and should be too strong for unseeded German Florian Mayer.
Serena-Capriati rivalry
In the remaining women's quarter-finals, Williams and Capriati continue a long-standing rivalry with both insisting there is no bad feeling between them.
"She respects my game and I respect hers," said Capriati. "We're not the best of friends but we're not enemies either."
That match is first on Centre Court, and Amelie Mauresmo faces Paola Suarez in the first match on Court One in the last quarter-final.
By Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Wimbledon
Tim Henman carries a nation's weighty expectation against Mario Ancic in the Wimbledon quarter-finals on Wednesday.
Having beaten Mark Philippoussis on Monday, the British No 1 now faces the Croatian 20-year-old who is unseeded.
The pair, who have never met before, are second on Centre Court, but showers are forecast this afternoon.
Roger Federer faces Lleyton Hewitt in the other showpiece men's match, while Serena Williams and Jennifer Capriati meet in the women's quarters.
Ancic may be ranked only 63 in the world but, like compatriot Goran Ivanisevic, he has a big serve and likes playing on grass.
He was the last man to beat Federer on the surface, in the first round of Wimbledon 2002, but Henman remains confident.
"He's a big guy with a big serve who likes to come forward," said Henman.
"I've got to make him play a lot of balls on the return but the way I'm playing, I think I've got a good chance."
While much of the home crowd will be focusing on Henman's progress, the third match on Centre Court promises to be spectacular.
Defending champion Federer trails 7-4 in career meetings with 2002 winner Hewitt, but has won their last two encounters.
"I believe I can beat him," said Hewitt. "He's the best player out there at the moment and, sure, I'm the underdog.
"But I believe in my ability and I've played well enough against him in the past."
Second seed Andy Roddick has yet to drop a set but could face a tough time against experienced campaigner Sjeng Schalken in the second match on Court One.
Sebastien Grosjean has moved through the draw with little fuss and should be too strong for unseeded German Florian Mayer.
Serena-Capriati rivalry
In the remaining women's quarter-finals, Williams and Capriati continue a long-standing rivalry with both insisting there is no bad feeling between them.
"She respects my game and I respect hers," said Capriati. "We're not the best of friends but we're not enemies either."
That match is first on Centre Court, and Amelie Mauresmo faces Paola Suarez in the first match on Court One in the last quarter-final.