Henman keen on playing Federer

Knowing how to unravel the world No. 1, give Tim Henman the confidence to improve his lopsided 6-2 record against Federer.

Tim Henman can't wait to hook into top-seeded Roger Federer in their US Open semifinal on Saturday. Knowing how to unravel the world No. 1, and achieving his best ever results at Flushing Meadows, give Henman the ammunition and confidence to improve his lopsided 6-2 record against Federer.

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"I think if you're giving Roger time from the baseline, I think that's where I just need to make sure that I'm aggressive and try and give him less time," Henman said. "If I can do that, I think that's what gives me the best chance."

Fifth-seeded Henman set up his third crack at Federer this year - they're 1-1 this season - by resorting to his natural serve-and-volley game against No. 22 Dominik Hrbaty of Slovakia. After dropping the third set, Henman went on to win 6-1, 7-5, 5-7, 6-2 on Thursday in a quarterfinal interrupted by rain the night before.

They'd resumed in the cozy Grandstand, which offered more protection from the 64-kph (40-mph) gusts than the main Arthur Ashe Stadium, with Henman serving at 4-5 in the third. He held serve but held back and allowed Hrbaty to break him from the baseline for the set.