Henman keeps a Hollywood finish possible with sweep

WIMBLEDON, England -- The fans rose right on cue, clapping, yelling and waving Union Jack flags as the Centre Court scoreboard flashed a five-set victory for the Briton. Now the question is: Will life imitate art in 1 1/2 weeks?

The producers of "Bridget Jones' Diary" and "Notting Hill" are making a movie called "Wimbledon," about the first English male finalist since the 1930s. Two scenes were shot Thursday, delaying the start of Tim Henman's match.

When the director, actors and cameramen cleared out, Henman went to work, crafting a crisp 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 victory over fellow serve-and-volleyer Michael Llodra to reach the third round.

And, undoubtedly, ratchet up a nation's expectations once again.

"Maybe it's a sign of the desperation to finally win the tournament that they're making a film about it," the 10th-seeded Henman said with a smile. "I hope if I win Wimbledon, it won't ruin their film."

Year after year, he takes his countrymen on a bit of a cruel ride, coming oh-so-close to ending the drought. Henman reached the semifinals at the All England Club four of the past five years but lost each time to the eventual champion.

If he hopes to write a new script this fortnight, wouldn't a semifinal against Andre Agassi make a fantastic scene?

Agassi advances

The eight-time Grand Slam champion advanced to the third round by beating Lars Burgsmuller 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-3. Unlike Henman, Agassi does most of his damage at the baseline, dictating points until the time is ripe to rip a shot out of reach.

He compiled 31 winners and, making the occasional foray forward, even took 11 of 12 points at the net.

At 33, he's the oldest player in the tournament and the oldest man ever ranked No. 1. As if that wouldn't be enough for Hollywood, how's this: Agassi is trying to add a second Wimbledon title to the one he won in 1992; the 11-year gap would be a record.

While Henman gets to face a third straight player who came out of qualifying -- 152nd-ranked Robin Soderling, who knocked off French Open runner-up Martin Verkerk in the first round -- Agassi next plays No. 27-seeded Younes El Aynaoui.

Also into the third round: French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero, who led 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-3 when Nicolas Escude quit with a leg injury, 2002 finalist David Nalbandian, and three-time quarterfinalist Mark Philippoussis.

The only seeded man to lose was No. 26 James Blake. The American went down 6-2, 7-6 (3), 6-2 to Sargis Sargsian, who beat Andy Roddick at the French Open.

Three seeded women lost: No. 14 Eleni Daniilidou, No. 21 Elena Bovina and No. 31 Elena Likhovtseva. Daniilidou was beaten by two-time major champion Mary Pierce, whose ranking dropped to 86th after a series of injuries.

French Open champion Justine Henin-Hardenne, No. 8 Jennifer Capriati and 1994 Wimbledon winner Conchita Martinez won.

Defending champion Serena Williams beat Els Callens 6-4, 6-4.