Henman takes Wimbledon spotlight

By Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Wimbledon

Henman will be playing for the third day in a row

The Wimbledon crowd will be prepared for another Tim Henman rollercoaster when the Briton returns to action against Feliciano Lopez on Wednesday.

Henman completed an epic win over Carlos Moya on Tuesday, and now plays former quarter-finalist Lopez in the third match on Centre Court.

Also in action on day three are Roger Federer, Andy Roddick, Justine Henin and Serena Williams.

"Lopez has got a bit of grass-court pedigree," Henman told BBC Sport.

"He's a big-serving lefty but if I can get to the net on the right shot and get him hitting passing shots, that will give me the best opportunity."

And of his physical state, Henman added: "I feel fine - it won't be an issue.

"In general terms, I feel in good shape but it's something I keep having to work on because I'm probably more vulnerable (to picking up injuries) than I have been in the past."

Federer continues his quest for a fifth straight title against highly-rated 18-year-old Argentine Juan Martin del Potro in the second match on Court One.

I've got so much confidence, so much experience on this surface that I always expect myself to play good matches on grass Roger Federer

The champion came into the tournament relatively under-prepared as he chose not to play in the warm-up event in Halle, but he saw off Teimuraz Gabshvili in straight sets in round one.

"I was of course a bit worried before the first round," said the Swiss.

"Look, I've got so much confidence, so much experience on this surface that I always expect myself to play good matches on grass. Hopefully the next match can be as good."

Title contender Roddick is up against Thailand's Danai Udomchoke in the opening match on Centre Court.

Roddick, twice runner-up to Federer at Wimbledon, knows he must continue serving near the 74% mark that he managed in beating Justin Gimelstob in round one.

"You give me the option to have that number for the tournament, and I would take it right now," said the American.

"If you're taking care of your own serve, that only puts more pressure on the other guy."

Henin faces Vera Dushevina in match two on Centre, while Serena Williams plays Alicia Molik in the opening match on Court One.

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The Belgian, who is chasing the one Grand Slam title she has yet to win, took the title in Eastbourne last week and saw off Jorgelina Cravero on Monday.

"The grass is slower here than it was in Eastbourne I thought," said Henin. "I needed a little bit of time to get used to the surface.

"It's not easy to come for a tournament and forget about it and get ready on the next one, especially for a Grand Slam."

Serena Williams is widely regarded as the main challenger to Henin but she made an edgy start before beating Lourdes Dominguez Lino, admitting she has a tight hamstring.

But she insisted afterwards: "I'm really physically ready. It hasn't been that big of a deal. It's been getting better every day."