Henman reaches landmark semi

Henman is through to the last four in Monte Carlo

Tim Henman bt Thomas Johansson 2-6 6-4 7-6 (7/4)

Tim Henman reached the last four at a clay-court event for the first time with a three-set win over Thomas Johansson at the Monte Carlo Masters.

Henman had to come back from a set down after starting poorly, and at times he appeared tired, but he can now look forward to a semi-final against former world number one Carlos Moya.

"I feel like I'm adapting my game really well, and when you put in work on the practice court and it pays off it's great," said Henman.

It takes a bit longer to get the wins, but it's worthwhile

Tim Henman on his clay-court success

"I struggled in the first set. I wasn't playing to my strengths, I was playing to his.

"But I adapted and played a bit more defensively.

"I had to find the right tactic and I had to play away from my normal game."

Things started promisingly for Henman when he broke Johansson in the very first game of the match.

But the Swede then reeled off five straight games, including three breaks of serve, as Henman struggled to find any rhythm.

There was a glimmer of hope for Henman when he broke Johansson to trail 5-2.

But Johansson, who was returning with venom, broke straight back to take the set 6-2.

Henman needed to shake things up in the second set, and after holding his serve for the first time in five attempts, he broke Johansson to lead 2-1.

Johansson missed his chance in the tie-break

Serves then got on top and Henman needed to hold his nerve and his serve as the score reached 5-4.

Despite blowing two set-points from 40-15, Henman took the third with a cushioned backhand volley to level the match at one set all.

The Briton appeared tired in the third set, but knuckled down saving two break points as the score reached 5-5.

At the crucial moment Johansson's serve let him down and Henman broke to love.

But Henman missed two chances to take the match as he opened up a 40-15 lead, and the Swede made him pay by breaking to send the match into a deciding tie-break.

Despite losing all the tie-breaks he has contested previously this week, Henman came through 7-4 to reach uncharted territory at a clay-court event.

It was another long, sapping match for Henman, but he was delighted to become the first Briton into the last four in Monte Carlo since John Lloyd in 1975.

"It takes a bit longer to get the wins, but it's worthwhile," said Henman, who is sure to face another stern test against clay-court specialist Moya on Saturday.

"Today's match was a step up in terms of the standard of opponent, and Moya is a step up again," he added.