SUPER Brit Tim Henman was today bidding for Wimbledon glory - backed by a personal endorsement from the East Lancashire player who knows what it feels like to beat him.

The country's tennis hero was due on centre court knowing that victory over world number one Pete Sampras would make him the first Britain since Fred Perry in 1936 to win through to the men's singles final. Tennis coach Mark Schofield, of Hoddlesden, defeated Henman in the final of the national junior indoor championships in Nottingham in 1992.

And he was confident in Britain's number one today after speaking to him during a trip down to Wimbledon this week.

He said: "Tim has played Sampras five times now and hasn't managed to beat him yet, although he came close at Queen's three weeks ago, but I think now he has every chance of doing it this time.

"I went down to Wimbledon this week and spoke to Tim and he seemed very upbeat and confident, so it's fingers crossed that he does it."

Mark, 24, was one of Britain's finest young tennis talents and he and Tim played against each other several times in the early days of their careers.

But Mark decided to opt for a career in coaching. He now teaches at Blackburn Northern Tennis club and the Ribble Valley Tennis Centre, Clitheroe.

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