I know this may not be a conventional europe topic, but as there have been a couple of recent threads about wimbledon, I couldn't resist sharing my relief with you, that we still have one Brit in the men's draw. probably until about 2pm tomorrow, or 10 minutes after they resume teh match.

for those of you who have not been glued to the TV today, Tim Henman was playing Carlos Moya today at Wimbledon, which is atennis tournament played in south london. the score, when they stopped due to failing light, was 5 all in the 5th and final set.

i look forward to Tim snatching defeat from the jaws of victory tomorrow, so that my blood pressure, [and that of about 25 million other Brits] can go back to normal.

are there any other sportmen/women that provoke such fervour and frustration?

regards, ann

"come on, Tim!"

Given his recent form reaching 5-5 in the 5th set must be a major accomplishment

hi, Alan,

they were both playing very well. it was fun watching Carlos serve and volleying. [he was really getting the hang of it even though McEnroe said that he's seen him in entire tournaments on clay never leave the base-line]

AS ever, Tim mixed some sublime tennis with some real rubbish. hence our frustrations.

regards, ann

Gosh, this is why I say work is over rated! I was working when I really should have been watching the game

Ann, if I were religious, I could pray for him (and you) but I am not so I simply send him and you, my best wishes.

hi, comfy,

confession time - I was working and watching!

laptops are such a boon.

I often wonder if Lucy is sending up a little prayer.

regards, ann

Who is Lucy?

oops - Mrs. Henman.

curiously, greg rudskuski [apolgies to him if i've spelt it wrong] also has a wife called Lucy!

Mrs. H is blond, Mrs. G is brunette.

as yet, A. Murray is unattached, [so far we we know] but girls called Lucy must be in with a good chance.

regards, ann

I thought it was a case of "mommory lane" if you know what I mean This time it is intentional

D**n - missed the whole match due to running errands for Mom. All we'll get tonight are highlights . . . . . Maybe I'll get a peek when play resumes.

I HATE living 8 time zones away . . . .

Ann, 13-11! I don't think I have ever seen a Tennis match that lasted so long.

hi, comfy,

not the longest match by a long chalk.

there was a famous one in the 60's featuring sancho panchez [think that was his name] which went to 24-22 in the final set, I think!!!

and that was before tie-breaks so the other sets could have been longer too.

Tim said in the post match interview that he was pleased it wasn't over in ten minutes. Didn't hear what Carlos said!

Anyone know who he gets next?

regards, ann

No, not Sancho Panchez (you may be confusing with Sancho Panza, the Don Quixote character )!! It was Ricardo Gonzalez or Pancho Gonzalez who beat Charles Pasarell.

Henman will play another Spaniard Felicino Lopez.

Pancho Gonzales was from California and I had suuuuuch a crush on him when I was a young girl.

And just what do spoiled brats and sissies have to do with travel in Europe?

Hi ann, I am thinking the tennis Gods will shine on England when play resumes and you will have to keep the adrenolin flowing through your veins a few more days. Breath in breath out.

thereyet

hi, comfy -

yes of course - my brain was obviously addled.

I realised my mistake on my way to work today - i do a lot of my best thinking sitting in the traffic on the way into truro.

I just googled him, [pancho gonzalez that is] and found that "the most famous match ever played" was as you say played against charlie paserell, and the renouned 22:24 set was the first set not the last, though it did indeed go to 5 sets.

I believe that I remember it, though it may just be a memory of watching endless replays in rain breaks when the BBC get desperate, like they did today, when they showed the last set of Henman v Moya again, again!!! then followed that with a piece about the tournament of 1987 for which I have a special fondness as i was there when Pat Cash climbed up to get to the players' friends' box to hug his Dad.

If Tim beats Lopez tomorrow, we can expect "Henmania" to increase.

regards, ann

ps "hopscotch" - who he?

pps - thereyet - I've got tomorrow off and the forecast for Wimbledon is better - so I'm hoping i may get to see the whole match live. Yippee! - and if you have access to the internet, you will be able to tune into england v the windies in a 20:20 match - starts 5.30pm BST, by which even Tim should have finished playing.

My cousin is playing Wimbledon. She lost in her first round of singles, but has won several rounds of doubles. According to this article, she's still in the double competition.
http://www.aikenstandard.com/sports/364783366085655.php

go, julie,

I'll be looking out for her!

regards, ann

She plays at 11, Thursday, court 8.