English fans have seen enough tears this summer

"So it's just a matter who wants it more in the second week of a Grand Slam. I just hope I go out there and play good.

"If I feel that I'm playing well, I feel I have a chance to win, whoever it is."

The attitude is reminiscent of Michel Kratochvil's ahead of his fourth-round match with Henman, and the unseeded Swiss player really should have won the match.

The British number one is well aware of the weight of expectation he carries and refuses, as ever, to look beyond the next match.

"I'm expected to win," he said. "It's no different. That's the way other people approach the match, but it won't be the way I approach it.

"I will be very, very focused on my game and worry about my performance. And if I do that, and play the tennis I'm capable of, I think I've got a good chance."

Kuerten inspiration

The performances of Brazilian superstar Gustavo Kuerten in winning three French Open titles serve as an inspiration to Sa, who admits he expected to make the breakthrough on clay rather than grass.

"It's unbelievable right now for me to be in this position," he said. "The first time Guga won (in Paris), nobody expected him to go as far.

"I'm in the same position as he was right now. You know, I just have three more matches to go and it's a very long way, but it's in the back of my head, having a shot of winning the tournament."

And Sa is well aware that Brazilians have a pretty good recent record against the English in quarter-finals.

"I talk with Tim a lot about football," he said. "After Brazil beat England he came and shook my hand. He claimed Brazil played better, but it was a lucky goal."

On Wednesday afternoon, Sa should need either the luck, or magic, shown by Ronaldhino if he is to send Henman home early.