Tim Henman yesterday paid tribute to the huge surge of British support which has accompanied his attempt to make history at the French Open.

But he warned his toughest challenge lies ahead when he faces third-seeded Argentine Guillermo Coria today in a semi-final which has been given top billing on Court Phillippe Chatrier.

Henman practised for just half-an-hour yesterday at Roland Garros, after which he was asked about the mood back home, where expectations and support have risen daily as he has progressed through the tournament.

He said: ''I absolutely appreciate that. It is fairly unique and has gone along with my career."

Henman would be the first British man to reach a final here since Bunny Austin back in 1937 and the first to reach a Grand Slam singles final anywhere since Greg Rusedski lost to Pat Rafter in the 1997 US Open final.

If he went on to win, Henman would be the first British man to win a Grand Slam singles title since Fred Perry at the US Open and Wimbledon in 1936.

That is some weight of history. It is some opportunity to give British tennis, which without Henman and Rusedski would barely register on the world map, a massive boost, and Henman believes such interest must continue to be capitalised upon.

This was echoed by Davis Cup captain Jeremy Bates, who applauded Henman's achievement in Paris and highlighted the effect it was having on other British players and people in the game at home, especially at LTA headquarters at Queen's Club.

''It has a massive impact on everyone,'' said Bates. ''There is a real buzz about the place. When the junior players see success at the top of the game other players want the same results. They strive for the same goals.

''It creates an excitement. They want to tune in to the radio, read the newspapers. There is a feelgood factor, just as there was with the rugby.''

As for Paris, however, Henman has won over the support of the French, who have marvelled at his attacking, rush-netting style on the slowest of the game's surfaces, and revelled in the lack of pressure of having 5,000 roaring him on atop Henman Hill at Wimbledon.

''It's been remarkably low-key here - a big, big difference to Wimbledon,'' said Henman. ''A lot less attention and I have enjoyed it from that point of view.

''I am happy to accept all the attention that usually goes with it and I do every year, but back home I can go home to the family and that keeps it in perspective.

''Here I've been getting a lot of texts from family and friends and I've spoken to a few of the other players.

''Some seem to enjoy my style being successful. I've been loving it.''

Not that you would have noticed that from his muted celebrations after defeating Argentinian Juan Ignacio Chela in straight sets in the quarter-final, after which he managed only a small, wry smile and a knowing glance at coach Paul Annacone.

Henman continued: ''After Chela I watched a bit of the match to get a feel for what's working in my game.

''My demeanour at the end didn't really portray what I was feeling inside.

''My game when I was young used to take a lot out of me, but now it is much more stress-free even though it has been a long couple of weeks with some tough matches.

''But if you'd said two weeks ago 'How about the semis?' I would have signed up for that.''

He admitted the driving force had been his determination to prove that he was capable of reaching the upper echelons of the game outside Wimbledon, where he has reached seven quarter-finals and four semi-finals.

''I wanted to prove that to myself,'' he said. ''My best here was the third round, my best in New York is the fourth round and that's not good enough. It's been a big breakthrough here.''

Henman is never satisfied, always wanting to improve, always convinced he can get more out of his natural talent, even though his opponent's record since reaching the semi-finals here last year is one loss in 36 clay-court matches.

That came against Roger Federer in Hamburg last month. ''All credit to Coria - he is a good competitor, his record speaks for itself,'' said Henman.

''He's had a massive amount of success on clay and this is my toughest challenge but if I play the right way I can achieve success.''

That's exactly how Bates sees it too.

He said: ''He has a good chance. He is very clear in his own mind about how to play and it is a fascinating match. The clay-courters do not like playing Tim or his style of tennis."