Henman left on hold

Henman was struggling when play stopped

Photos from the match

Poor conditions halted play at Wimbledon on Wednesday evening with the first two men's quarter-finals delicately poised.

Heavy showers interrupted proceedings three times during the afternoon.

Play resumed at 1845 BST, but tournament referee Alan Mills finally called a halt because of slippery conditions.

British number one Tim Henman was a set down against France's Sebastien Grosjean, with the Frenchman leading 7-6 (10-8) 3-6 6-3.

Henman was 2-1 up in the fourth set when the players left Centre Court for the final time.

The 10th seed recovered from 5-1 down in the opening set to force a tie-break, but four set points went begging as Grosjean took it 10-8.

It was a different story in the second as Henman broke Grosjean in the eighth game to leave the match in the balance.

Gamewatch: Henman v Grosjean

But Grosjean was back on top after the third rain delay, winning the third set to hold a psychological advantage overnight.

On Court One, Germany's Alexander Popp squandered a two-set lead against Mark Philippoussis before the match was stopped.

Popp was leading 6-4 6-4 but lost his momentum during the rain interruptions, allowing the Australian to fight back.

Philippoussis won the next two sets 6-3 6-3, with the fourth level at 2-2 when play was ended.

Gamewatch: Popp v Philippoussis

The other quarter-finals between Roger Federer and Sjeng Schalken, and Andy Roddick and Jonas Bjorkman, are yet to get underway.

Tournament referee Alan Mills, explaining his decision to call it a day, told the BBC: "It's very frustrating [for the players and fans] but it's very slippery out there now."

Tournament organisers later confirmed that play will almost start an hour earlier on all courts, at 12 noon BST, on Thursday.

Women's semis preview

Henman and Grosjean will resume on Centre Court after the first women's sem-final between Serena Williams and Justine Henin-Hardenne.

The second women's semi, between Venus Williams and Kim Clijsters follows the Henman-Grosjean match.

Popp and Philippoussis return to Court One after the quarter-final between Jonas Bjorkman and Andy Roddick.