Henman back in old routine

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June 26, 2007 11:28 IST

The Centre Court roof has gone but some things never change at Wimbledon.

Rain delays frustrated players and fans on the first day of the championships, a British woman lost gallantly to a former champion and Tim Henman had fans chewing their finger nails.

A day after British number one Andy Murray withdrew from the grasscourt Grand Slam with a wrist injury, Naomi Cavaday took a set off Martina Hingis only to lose the third 6-0.

And Henman was once again playing the familiar role of carrying his nation's hopes on his shoulders, a burden he has endured for more than a decade.

By the end of the day, with darkness enveloping the All England Club, the 32-year-old was locked at 5-5 in the deciding set against Spanish 25th seed Carlos Moya, having seen four match points go to waste.

The four-times semi-finalist, who made his debut here in 1994 and has provided many memorable moments down the years, will return on Tuesday to try to finish the job.

Henman looked to be sliding out to a depressing defeat when Moya, who has not played a grasscourt match since reaching the last 16 in 2004, led 4-2 in the fifth set.

Roared on by the crowd, many wrapped in blankets against the cold, he broke back with some sensational tennis to lead 5-4 with Moya to serve.

In a 10th game of unremitting tension played in near darkness, four match points came and went before Moya levelled the fifth set at 5-5 and play was suspended for the night.

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