WIMBLEDON - Briton Tim Henman was this morning (NZ time) 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, the32-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 semifinalist, who made his debut here in 1994 and has provided many memorable moments down the years, will return tonight to try to finish the job.
Henman is the only genuine hope in the mens draw for the Great Britain fans, since the late withdrawal of Andy Murray yesterday.
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.
SCORE (match not completed):
Tim Henman vs (25) Carlos Moya 3-6 6-1 7-5 2-6 5-5 (bad light stopped play).
