Henman becomes first British man in 41 years to make French Open semis

PARIS (AFP) — Tim Henman became the first British player to reach the semi-finals of the French Open for 41 years when he clinched a 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 win over Argentina's Juan Ignacio Chela.

Ninth seed Henman faces third seeded Argentinian Guillermo Coria, who knocked out 1998 champion Carlos Moya, for a place in the final.

Mike Sangster, back in 1963 was the last British man to get to the last four, and should Henman overcome the formidable hurdle of hot favourite Coria, he will be the first Briton in the final since Bunny Austin in 1937.

Fred Perry remains the only British man to have won the French Open in 1935.

Until this year, Henman's best Grand Slam performances had all come on grass at Wimbledon where he has been a semi-finalist four times.

Furthermore, outside of Wimbledon, he had never got beyond ...