BBC SPORT | Tennis | Wimbledon | Henman makes his entrance

Tuesday's order of play

Wimbledon may have begun in a blaze of sunshine on Monday, but for Henmaniacs Tuesday is the day when the real tournament starts.

Britain's brightest men's hope since Fred Perry in 1936, Tim Henman is second on Court One where he will face qualifier Jean-Francois Bachelot of France.

Henman gets McEnroe backing

It looks a simple game on paper, and many observers, including three-time winner John McEnroe, have already mapped Henman's route to the last four and beyond.

"He's got an excellent draw, he's got a great chance to get to at least the semi-finals," said McEnroe.

"I'd be surprised if he doesn't get there at least and then you never know. It would be nice - it would be a shot in the arm for the sport."

Hewitt tester

Meanwhile, number one seed Lleyton Hewitt has been handed a tricky draw against Jonas Bjorkman on Centre Court.

Sports Talk: Henman's year at last?

Bjorkman finished as the top doubles player in the world last year, and is no mug when it comes to singles, as Britain's finest will attest.

Hewitt reached the fourth round last year
Hewitt beat Tim Henman at this year's Stella Artois
Bjorkman beat Rusedski on his way to victory at Nottingham last week, and knocked Tim Henman out of this year's Australian Open.

Hewitt has been the champion at Queen's for the last three years, but has never managed to translate that form to the grass courts of Wimbledon.

His best showing came last year when he reached the fourth round, only to crash out to France's Nicolas Escude.

Venus bow

Also making her bow on Tuesday is Venus Williams, reigning ladies champion and favourite for a third straight title.

The girl with the daunting prospect of facing Venus is Jane O'Donoghue, a 19-year-old from Wigan.

O'Donoghue is ranked 347th in the world and has won just �7,000 in prize money, compared with the �7m Venus has amassed in her career.

Briton relishes Venus challenge

Last year's losing finalist, Justine Henin, is also in action, with something to prove after her first-round exit at Roland Garros.

Henin has not played since then and will hope for a return to form against American Brie Rippner.


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