`Tough guy' Henman ready to make mark.

Byline: By Frank Malley

When Tim Henman bids to make history today by becoming the first British man to reach the semi-finals of the French Open for more than 40 years he will have his `Auntie Sue' roaring him on.

That is TV's Sue Barker to everyone else, the woman who used to ferry Henman as a youngster to and from practice sessions at David Lloyd's tennis academy and has been emotionally involved in his career ever since.

She also happens to be the last Briton to win a singles title on the red clay of Roland Garros, having beaten Renata Tomanova of Czechoslovakia in the final here back in 1976.

And if anyone calls Henman a `choker' or a `bottler' if he falls to Argentina's Juan Ignacio Chela and fails to emulate the feat of Mike Sangster, who reached the semis here in 1963 only to be defeated by Roy Emerson, they had better not say so in the hearing of Barker.

"He's answered his critics," said Barker, who has been riveted to his four matches so far, especially the two against Frenchmen Cyril Saulnier and Michael Llodra when Henman battled back to win from two sets down.

"I've watched him in so many gutsy matches at Wimbledon, so many five-setters when he has battled his way through. When I hear people calling him a `choker' or a `bottler' I find it offensive.

"He is doing brilliantly. I don't think he has served that well but he has played the big points so well."

Barker's one fear is that Henman's impressive feat on clay could jeopardise his campaign to become the first British man to win Wimbledon's famous gold singles trophy since Fred Perry back in 1936, though she is convinced he has the game to triumph at SW19.

"In some ways I'm slightly more worried about Wimbledon now," admitted Barker.

"Having a good run at the French can help or hinder you. My fear for Tim is that he has come through some big matches and emotionally that can be very draining. Big matches take their toll on you.

"But he is playing the best tennis of his life and I've said all along I think he can do it this year at Wimbledon.

"He's more relaxed and has been for the past year. I remember last year on Centre Court as he was warming up at Wimbledon he was hitting balls at me and Boris Becker while we were doing a piece to camera."

She also points to the influence of Henman's coach Paul Annacone, who used to assist Pete Sampras and who put Henman through a light practice session today at Roland Garros following his four hours and 10 minutes five-sets fourth-round marathon against Llodra on Sunday.

"Tim likes to have someone to work with and he knows Paul well and trusts him," said Barker.

"The courts are quicker and that has helped and he's now playing more of his own game. He looks like he believes he can win on clay and I am thrilled for him.

"He's got to the quarters and someone's got to win it so you can't write him off. I think he can beat Chela and get into the semi-finals but Guillermo Coria is the man of the moment."

Henman, whose match is scheduled third on the top showcourt, Philippe Chatrier, was looking forward with confidence to playing 24-year-old Chela, a confirmed baseliner and less unpredictable than Llodra but who is third in the clay season form chart.

"It's a bit more straightforward of a match," said Henman. "I've seen him play some of his matches this tournament and it's pretty obvious the way he is going to play. He's not going to be coming to the net a great deal.

"It gives me a great chance to really dictate, but I've got to really commit to that. My game has improved dramatically, certainly on this surface.

"I'm going to have to play very well for a long period of time. But I think I'm capable of that."