Hollywood actors provided the early action on Wimbledon's Centre Court on Thursday, but it was Tim Henman who stole the limelight at the grand slam.

Britain's sole hope for a home champion for the first time since 1936 rests on Henman's patched up shoulders and he shrugged off his sluggish tournament start to surge into the third round with a 6-4 6-4 6-3 win over France's Michael Llodra.

The 10th seed was kept waiting for half-an-hour as two actors shot scenes for next year's British movie "Wimbledon" on the main show court, but still put in a confident performance.

It was a showing which kept alive hopes that he can pip actor Paul Bettany to lifting the men's singles crown first.

"I hope it is not ... our desperation to try and win the tournament one day that they are having to make films about it," Henman smiled. "It will be interesting to see the outcome."

The shoulder surgery which has hampered Henman's preparations this year may yet prove to be a blessing in disguise.

EXPECTATIONS LIGHTENED

While never a dark horse at his home grand slam, the weight of expectation seems to have been lightened somewhat by his patchy form coming into Wimbledon.

"I think expectations are always going to be pretty high at this time of year... and given my previous record here that's probably justified," the four-times semi-finalist said. "But, you know, this year is a little different.

"Still, though, I feel my game has definitely started to come around. Days like today when I feel I'm hitting the ball well it can only be good for your confidence."

Expectation on Andre Agassi remains high -- from himself more than anyone.

"I am doing what I have got to do," the 33-year-old world number one smiled after beating Lars Burgsmueller 6-3 7-6 6-3.

Freshly-crowned French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero, seeded third here, advanced when his French opponent Nicolas Escude retired with the Spaniard leading 6-7 6-3 6-3.

Ferrero was not made to fight all the way but showed enough against a strong grasscourter to suggest he is more comfortable on the fast surface than in the past.

In the women's draw, top seed and champion Serena Williams took a step closer to retaining her title. The powerful American subdued Belgian Els Callens 6-4 6-4 with little fuss.

Two former grand slam champions showed form of old to advance.

Eighth seed Jennifer Capriati thrashed Swiss Marie-Gaianeh Mikaelian 6-2 6-1 and, more impressively, unseeded Mary Pierce ousted 14th seed Eleni Daniilidou 6-4 6-1.

The powerful former Australian and French Open champion, now ranked 86, brushed aside Daniilidou on a sun-bathed court two to set up a showdown with American Lisa Raymond.

IMPRESSIVE VICTORY

The victory was 28-year-old Pierce's second impressive victory of the tournament. She whitewashed her first-round opponent 6-0 6-0 and is on course for fourth round meeting with reigning French Open champion Justine Henin-Hardenne.

"I feel like I'm playing well, but I know I still have lots of work to do," Pierce said. "I have a very aggressive game so it's important for me to be in good shape."

Henin showed she was in great shape by overcoming a powerful challenge from Italy's Flavia Pennetta 7-6 6-1.

If Henman is to stand a chance of rewriting British tennis history this year, he is likely to have to overcome sixth seed David Nalbandian in the fourth round.

Nalbandian is an Argentine baseliner who has played Wimbledon just once before. However, despite his fondness for lurking at the back of the court, last year he reached the final on his debut.

The burly Argentine showed he is in fine form again in southwest London, pulverising Brazil's Andre Sa 6-2 7-5 6-2 on court one.

However Henman will first face yet another qualifier, Robin Soderling. The Swede beat Gilles Elseneer, of Belgium, 2-6 7-6 6-4 6-3.



Close

Today's Top News		Top Sports News
+Floods, mudslides sweep China ( 2003-06-27) +Beijing's first 1,500 overseas tourists invited to Great Hall banquet ( 2003-06-27) +China Daily comment: New leadership wins trust ( 2003-06-27) +Law moves to preserve the Great Wall ( 2003-06-27) +ROK president to visit China in July for first foreign tour ( 2003-06-27)		+Tennis-Wimbledon-Henman steals centre stage ( 2003-06-27) +Tennis-Wimbledon-Henin plays through the pain ( 2003-06-27) +Agassi aiming to break Ashe's record ( 2003-06-27) +France overcome Turkey challenge to reach final ( 2003-06-27) +Soccer-Cameroon's joy turns to mourning after Foe death ( 2003-06-27)