BRIT ON THE BRINK

While Justine Henin-Hardenne tried to find her way, the fans on Court 1 had more important things to think about. Namely the scoreboard, on which they followed the progress of countryman Tim Henman. For the most part, they didn’t like what they saw.

The top British player lost the first two sets to Jarkko Nieminen, the left-handed Finn who upset Andre Agassi at the French Open. “Uhhhh!” was the most common reaction, followed by a chuckle or a head shake or a guffaw. “Our Tim” was about to blow it again.

On “Henman Hill,” where fans without Centre Court seats watched a giant television monitor, the atmosphere resembled that of a funeral – until Henman rose from the dead once again, winning 3-6, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 7-5, 6-2.

Happily for the Brits, the next great hope, 18-year-old Scot Andrew Murray, won with far less trouble. He defeated George Bastl 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.

***

TALL MAN TAKES BIG FALL

Ivo Karlovic, the 6-foot-10 Croatian, is usually the man scoring upset victories at Wimbledon. Two years ago, he ousted defending champion Lleyton Hewitt in the first round, and this year he had his eye on Andy Roddick in the second round – at least, before he came across Italian Daniele Bracciali yesterday.

Karlovic served a Wimbledon record 51 aces, but lost in five sets, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (8), 3-6, 7-6 (5), 12-10. Bracciali served 31 aces of his own. Each man lost his serve just once, though Bracciali likely will lose a few more against Roddick, who won 6-1, 7-6 (4), 6-2 yesterday over Jiri Vanek.

***

FRENCH CHAMP WINS EASY

French Open finalist Mariano Puerta may be gone, but Rafael Nadal, the charismatic French Open champion, lives to play another day after easily defeating American Vince Spadea, 6-4, 6-3, 6-0. Only four American men remain in the draw, and two of them play each other today.

***

DIRT WOULD DO JUST FINE

Asked what he thought about both of his daughters playing on Court 2 instead of Centre Court, Richard Williams, father of Venus and Serena, said he could not care less.

“It could be on sand,” he said. Undoubtedly he was happy with yesterday’s results. Fourteenth-seeded Venus cruised past Eva Birnerova of the Czech Republic, 6-2, 6-4, while fourth-seeded Serena triumphed over Angela Haynes after dropping the first set, 6-7, 6-4, 6-2.