But the British number one came out with all guns blazing to win the final two sets and book his place in the quarter-finals against Roger Federer, the shock conqueror of defending champion Pete Sampras on Monday.

Roared on by the Centre Court crowd and with thousands more watching on a big screen in Aorangi Park, Henman completed a memorable 6-7 7-6 4-6 6-3 6-2 victory.

"I scared myself a bit," Henman admitted. "But it was a different story yesterday.

"Monday was difficult for lots of reasons but I knew I had to come out and really take it to Todd. I had to try and get the crowd involved and I was really pleased with my performance.

"When you're two sets to one down you have to try and get things going quickly and I did that and I'm pleased to get through.

"It wasn't my best night's sleep ever but I needed to take stock and I made a few changes and it paid off. On Monday the back was a little bit uncomfortable for me but you have to play with the cards you're dealt and I managed to get through.

"Monday was a weird day for a number of reasons, hanging around a long time waiting to go on, I think I injured my back in the warm-up and then it stiffened up, and then Pete going out.

"I was thinking about that and it was a question of trying to focus on the job and in all honesty I didn't do that particularly well. I had to wipe the slate clean today."