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| | Thursday, 4 July, 2002, 23:01 GMT 00:01 UK Henman: I can win Henman has reached the semis without playing well
Tim Henman has confidently predicted he will be able to raise his game and beat top seed Lleyton Hewitt in Friday's semi-final. Henman is bullish about facing the world number one - but admits Hewitt will provide his biggest challenge yet.
"It's the toughest ask in tennis to beat Hewitt - he proves consistently why he's the best in the world." "I have a poor record against him and I know I am going to have to play very, very, well. "If I play averagely, I will lose. But if I raise my level and play the tennis I'm capable of then I think I can win." Bold talk from a man who has so far failed to convince observers that he is ready to step up to the plate and win his first Grand Slam title at the age of 27. It has turned Henman into an expert at fending off thinly-veiled criticism with the sort of positive thinking even his most ardent fans would find it hard to subscribe to. "Hewitt has looked very impressive," he said. "But that's a great challenge to have - if you want to win a tournament like this, you have to beat the best."
But while Hewitt is the world number one and top seed, the Australian is in unchartered territory at Wimbledon and insists the pressure will all be on Henman. "I'm only 21 and I'm going to have other chances at Wimbledon, whereas he maybe doesn't have too many more opportunities," he said. "There's a lot of pressure on him to do well. Everyone's been asking the question 'when he's going to get through to the final and finally win it?'
"I'll be free out there on Friday - I don't feel that much added pressure. It's only my fourth time at Wimbledon and it's my first time deep into the tournament." And while Henman might take some solace from Hewitt's gruelling five-setter against Sjeng Schalken on Thursday, the fiery Australian believes history is on his side. "I had some extremely tough matches when I won the US Open last year and I take confidence from that," he said. "After a tough match against Andy Roddick in the quarters, I came out and played some of the best tennis I've ever played to win the title. "I'm young and I'm fit enough to bounce back from this and I'll come out firing as soon as the bell goes tomorrow." The second semi-final sees the unlikely match-up of Xavier Malisse against Argentina's David Nalbandian. Both players are making their first appearance in a Grand Slam semi-final, both having come through five-set matches to get there. "I was expecting to lose second or third round," said a delighted Malisse. "Every round I win now is a bonus and it will be the same tomorrow. I'm trying to stay on the court as long as possible and if the opponent wants to win, he has to beat me." That has not always been the case with the temperamental Belgian and Nalbandian will be looking for any chink in Malisse's armour. "He is a very, very good player, he is in the semi also so he must be playing very well here," said Nalbandian. "He is a very talented player and it will be a tough match." | |
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