HERE we go again. A memorable Royal Ascot at York is over, making way for Wimbledon fortnight and the annual torment over Tim Henman's progress begins.

Reigning champion Roger Federer, who is aiming for a third successive men's title, insists Henman could be the man to stop him. Does he mean it or is he just being nice to curry favour with the British crowds?

Whatever Federer says, the general view is that Henman has probably had his chance - notably when he threw away a rain-interrupted five-set semi-final against Goran Ivanisevic in 2001.

We don't really believe Heman can do it, but that doesn't stop us hoping. He certainly deserves a lot more credit than he gets for his record of reaching seven quarter-finals and three semi-finals in eight years.

Maybe, just maybe, the lifting of some of the expectation might just be the key to Henman finally making all our dreams come true. At least he now has 18-year-old Scottish sensation Andrew Murray, winner of the US junior open title, to help share some of the burden.

All we want is a British winner of Wimbledon - Henman preferably for all the effort he's put in over the years, but Murray would do, although that's a bit optimistic.

And then Durham's in-form Steve Harmison to lead the England attack in an Ashes victory over Australia. That's not too much to ask, is it?