Tennis: Huge task for Henman

From the archive, first published Friday 4th Jun 2004.

Oxfordshire's Tim Henman was today aiming to defy all the odds when he tackled clay court king Guillermo Coria in the French Open semi-finals at Roland Garros.

The 29-year-old, who lives at Aston Tirrold, near Didcot, has exceeded all expectations by reaching the last four.

But he was well aware that the Argentine would pose his toughest challenge yet.

Coria has won 47 of his last 49 matches on clay, losing only to Martin Verkerk in the French Open semi-final last year and Roger Federer in Hamburg last month.

Henman said: "All credit to Coria - he is a good competitor, his record speaks for itself.

"He's had a massive amount of success on clay and this is my toughest challenge. But if I play the right way, I can achieve success."

Bookmakers made Coria as short as 1-8 to win the match, with Henman the 9-2 outsider.

Two more Argentines, David Nalbandian and Gaston Gaudio, were doing battle in the other semi-final.

Archive Home