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As the week progresses in Cincinnati, some great matches are on the horizon: Srichaphan vs Roddick today, and possible Agassi/Moya in the next round. But the match of the day (for me anyway) has to be Henman vs Hewitt.<br /><br />I try not to write too much about Tim, as he is THE British hope and around grass-season it all gets too much. The rest of the season on the tour he is an excellent performer and is well respected. However, Hewitt has his number. <br /><br />I can hardly remember two consistent top-ten players where their head-to-head was zero in one column. Even Henman got one victory over Sampras (in Cincinnati, coincidentally). But the Hewitt-Henman record is 7-0.<br /><br />Today is a good a chance as ever for Tim to get back one match. Why? Well, the court is playing fast, according to the players, which should suit Tim’s game. Although 3 of Lleyton’s wins are on grass, that was in the English silly season. Now the pressure is off, and Tim is playing really well. The downside is that so is Lleyton, plus he knows he has never lost to Tim. Could be close.<br /><br />Interestingly, perhaps it’s not just the Tim-factor. Hewitt has excellent records against 3 very similar players: Sampras (5-4), Federer (7-5) and Rafter (3-1). They are all multiple slam champions too. Not bad for a supposed counter-puncher.<br /><br />For the record, Hewitt-Henman (set scores Hewitt first):<br />2004 Rotterdam, Hard, S, Hewitt 6-3 6-3 <br />2002 Wimbledon, Grass, S, Hewitt 7-5 6-1 7-5 <br />2002 London / Queen’s Club, Grass, F, Hewitt 4-6 6-1 6-4 <br />2002 Indian Wells TMS, Hard F, Hewitt 6-1 6-2 <br />2001 London / Queen’s Club, Grass, F, Hewitt 7-6 7-6 <br />2000 Stuttgart Indoor, Hard, R16, Hewitt 3-6 6-3 6-4 <br />2000 Scottsdale, Hard, F, Hewitt 6-4 7-6 <br /><br />P.s. quick note about German Olympic Committee: Why the hell did they introduce their own Olympic qualification system over the ITF/WTA’s? Surely it was obvious that their poxy criteria could easliy throw up a conflict such as this? Complete idiots. <br />See the story here: <a href=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics_2004/tennis/3537108.stm>http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics_2004/tennis/3537108.stm</a>