Henman wary about comfort zone

Tim Henman will reach his second tennis Grand Slam semi-final of the year by defeating Dominik Hrbaty at the US Open later today.

The British No1 has won his two previous meetings with the Slovakian, whose game features one of the highest ball tosses any server uses on the circuit.

Henman, seeded five, reached the last four at the French Open and knows a repeat of the form that accounted for German Nicolas Kiefer on Monday will put him into a semi-final against either Roger Federer or Andre Agassi. Hrbaty has won three tournaments this season but Henman acknowledges that despite his lingering back problem he is expected to make it into the last four.

Henman, who celebrated his 30th birthday on the day he beat Kiefer, said: "I feel like I'm the favourite but it's important to maintain the same approach.

"If I go out there and play with expectation and put extra pressure on myself, I'm sure it will affect my performance. If I go out there and see it as a good opportunity, then I've got a good chance. Against Kiefer I felt very fresh and as long as I don't have any expectations with my back, I'll be ready for the next one."

Defending champion Andy Roddick, who has yet to drop a set, swept into the quarter-finals by demolishing Spain's Tommy Robredo 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.