Henman And Federer Set For Showdown

All eyes will be on Centre Court on Wednesday as Tim Henman takes on Roger Federer in an eagerly-anticipated second-round clash at Wimbledon.

The Briton faces a mighty challenge in the day's final match as Federer continues his quest for a fourth title.

Venus Williams opens proceedings on Centre Court as she begins the defence of her title against Bethanie Mattek.

Maria Sharapova, Amelie Mauresmo, Lleyton Hewitt and Andy Roddick also play their first matches on day three.

Sharapova, the 2004 champion, plays Anna Smashnova in the first match on Court One, and is followed by Roddick taking on Janko Tipsarevic.

Mauresmo faces Ivana Abramovic in the opening match on Court Two before Hewitt meets Filippo Volandri.

Federer was in ominous form when he crushed Richard Gasquet on Tuesday to set a new record of 42 consecutive wins on grass.

He has not lost on the surface since going down to Mario Ancic in the first round of Wimbledon in 2002.

However, Henman can take some solace from the fact that he has a 6-4 career record against the Swiss and won their only meeting on grass at Wimbledon in 2001.

Asked if he believes he can beat the world number one, Henman insisted: "Absolutely."

And the fact that he has lost their last three meetings does not worry the Briton.

"I haven't beaten him for a while but I know my game matches up well (with his). I've beaten him six times in my career, so it's just a fantastic opportunity. The most important aspect is for me to go out there and play my game and feel like I haven't got any pressure or expectation. I won't be approaching the match thinking about his record, how well he's played or the grass-court streak that he's on. I'll be very, very excited and looking forward to the match and will approach it just as any other."

Federer remains an overwhelming favourite, both for this match and the tournament, but he will not underestimate Henman.

"It's as tough as it gets for a second round," he said. "I absolutely hoped he would not be in my section of the draw, just knowing how well he can play on grass. He beat me here in 2001 and was sort of a dark horse early in my career. We're good friends and it's also never nice to play against a friend."