Wimbledon, Cont.: Your point is well taken, and I agree with the spirit of it, if not the letter. Here's my objection: Henman, despite his reputation for never making it to the dance, is a fine grass-court serve-and-volley player. He doesn't have the chops, or honestly the physique, to take that game to the hard courts, the way Rafter did -- but Rafter's body gave out because of it. Anyway, Henman sent sixth seed Nalbandian to the showers yesterday, and Nalbandian was a finalist last year. Henman will have to face Ferrero or Grosjean next, both fine players but not grass-court specialists. If he passes that round, he'll face an unseeded player in the semis, Popp or Philippoussis. Meanwhile, money-man Roddick had to dig deep to get past Srichiphan, and will likely face the fourth seed, Roger Federer, in the semis.

If I were a Brit, I think I'd have my hopes up, unwise as that may seem.