The filming of a movie does not delay the Briton’s victory over Michael Llodra.
WIMBLEDON, England (AP) -The fans rose right on cue, clapping, yelling and waving Union Jack flags as the Centre Court scoreboard flashed a five-set victory for the Briton. Now the question is: Will life imitate art in 11/2 weeks?
The producers of “Bridget Jones’ Diary” and “Notting Hill” are making a movie called “Wimbledon,” about the first English male finalist since the 1930s. Two scenes were shot Thursday, delaying the start of Tim Henman’s match.
When the director, actors and cameramen cleared out, Henman went to work, crafting a crisp 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 victory over fellow serve-and-volleyer Michael Llodra to reach the third round.
And, undoubtedly, ratchet up a nation’s expectations once again.
“Maybe it’s a sign of the desperation to finally win the tournament that they’re making a film about it,” the 10th-seeded Henman said with a smile. “I hope if I win Wimbledon, it won’t ruin their film.”
Year after year, he takes his countrymen on a bit of a cruel ride, coming oh-so-close to ending the drought. Henman reached the semifinals at the All England Club four of the past five years but lost each time to the eventual champion.
If he hopes to write a new script this fortnight, wouldn’t a semifinal against Andre Agassi make a fantastic scene?
The eight-time Grand Slam champion advanced to the third round by beating Lars Burgsmuller 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-3. Unlike Henman, Agassi does most of his damage at the baseline, dictating points until the time is ripe to rip a shot out of reach.
He compiled 31 winners and, making the occasional foray forward, even took 11 of 12 points at the net.
At 33, he’s the oldest player in the tournament and the oldest man ever ranked No. 1. As if that wouldn’t be enough for Hollywood, how’s this: Agassi is trying to add a second Wimbledon title to the one he won in 1992; the 11-year gap would be a record.
“It feels like a lifetime ago since I won, that’s for sure,” said Agassi, upset in the second round last year. “If I won again, it would mean a lot.”
While Henman gets to face a third straight player who came out of qualifying – 152nd-ranked Robin Soderling, who knocked off French Open runner-up Martin Verkerk in the first round – Agassi next plays No. 27-seeded Younes El Aynaoui.
Also into the third round: French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero, who led 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-3 when Nicolas Escude quit with a leg injury, 2002 finalist David Nalbandian, and three-time quarterfinalist Mark Philippoussis.
The only seeded man to lose was No. 26 James Blake. The American went down 6-2, 7-6 (3), 6-2 to Sargis Sargsian, who beat Andy Roddick at the French Open.
Three seeded women lost: No. 14 Eleni Daniilidou, No. 21 Elena Bovina and No. 31 Elena Likhovtseva. Daniilidou was beaten by two-time major champion Mary Pierce, whose ranking dropped to 86th after a series of injuries.
French Open champion Justine Henin-Hardenne, No. 8 Jennifer Capriati and 1994 Wimbledon winner Conchita Martinez won.
Defending champion Serena Williams beat Els Callens 6-4, 6-4, then went right back out with sister Venus to open defense of their doubles title.
The siblings’ match against Rennae Stubbs and Corina Morariu was halted at 3-3 in the final set because of darkness, and the crowd gave the players a standing ovation.
“It’s definitely been a long day,” Serena said. Slapping hands between points and occasionally sharing a laugh, Team Williams appeared to be having a grand ol’ time. But their father – who, it must be noted, is prone to hyperbole – spoke about the possibility of his daughters quitting after another four-to-six years on tour.
“If I had the chance to, I would get them out of tennis right away. I tried to get Venus to stop playing tennis when she was 9 years old,” Richard Williams told The Associated Press. “It’s time for someone else to come along and carry the torch, and it’s time for them to move on and set more goals in business. I would think that at 25 or 26, no later than 27, it’ll be time for them to move on.”
The sisters have won the last three Wimbledon titles. No British woman has taken home the trophy since Virginia Wade in 1977, and no British man has since Fred Perry in 1936. The last male runner-up from the host country was Bunny Austin two years later.
“We’ve got to break out of the rut we’re in,” Henman said. “I think where I’ll have the biggest impact for British tennis is if I keep winning and hopefully win this tournament one day.”
He’s the last of 15 British men and women in the tournament. “Business as usual,” Henman noted dryly.
His only countryman thought to have had even an outside shot was Greg Rusedski, whose profanity-laced tirade during his defeat against Roddick earned a $2,500 fine Thursday. Told the amount, noted tantrum-thrower John McEnroe said: “They cannot be serious. I’d be in jail for that.”
Being the last Briton means that much more attention for Henman, including all those needling tabloid headlines. BBC is using footage of Henman, along with a song that includes the lyrics “It’s getting better,” to promote its tournament coverage.
He watched Thursday as Paul Bettany (“A Beautiful Mind”) portrayed Peter Colt, an unseeded Briton who goes far at Wimbledon. The film is to be released next year.
“We were having a bit of a laugh in the locker room at what was going on,” Henman said.
Director Richard Loncraine (“The Gathering Storm”) exhorted the spectators-cum-extras: “Cheer as if Tim Henman is coming on the court.”
One wondered how many of the fans were thinking ahead to July 6, the day of the men’s final.
AP-ES-06-26-03 1734EDT
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