It wasn't quite as carefree as an afternoon stroll down the Champs Elysees.

But Tim Henman's 6-4 6-4 6-4 demolition of Frenchman Arnaud Clement in Wimbledon's second round yesterday suggested there is reason to believe he is striding down the road to history with at least a realistic chance.

Forget those dreadful warm-up defeats at Queen's and Nottingham. Ignore the one dodgy set in his opening match with Thailand's Paradorn Srichaphan. Henman is through to the third round against Hicham Arazi of Morocco tomorrow and his mind is focused on one thing - that famous men's singles gold trophy which was last held aloft by a Briton back in 1936.

And while raucous Henmania may be a phenomenon of summers past there was a flutter of Union Jacks on Centre Court and a twirl and wave from Henman at the end of today's match which suggested he is warming to his task.

There is no doubt he revels in the pressure and hope which each year manifests itself in a tide of national emotion in SW19.

If the weight of expectation is heavy on his shoulders he is certainly not letting it show.

''This place definitely brings a little extra in me,'' said Henman, saluting the support from a Centre Court crowd which sported a few pockets of corporate absence at the 2pm start but for the most part was full and vocal.

''It has been evident in the two matches here. My preparation was not ideal but I have already improved a great deal.

''It was good to be back on Centre Court, it was a really good feeling but winning is the best bit. I've said before I'd like to take the Centre Court entourage around with me. I just enjoy playing in front of them.''

Meanwhile Andre Agassi was last night involved in a furious row with tournament officials after his second-round clash with Todd Martin was suspended due to rain.

Agassi complained to championships' referee Alan Mills that playing conditions were becoming dangerous as light rain fell at the start of the fourth set.

The match was allowed to carry on, however, and moments later Agassi suffered a heavy fall as his feet gave way just behind the baseline as he chased the ball.

Mills immediately re-appeared and play was suspended drawing loud complaints from the 30-year-old world number one.

''Oh now you stop,'' Agassi said. ''It's not right. You waited until I fell.''

Agassi was clearly upset by the decision to carry on playing just two weeks after being forced to withdraw from the quarter-finals of the Stella Artois Championships following another heavy fall.

The match was finely poised when play was called off, Agassi leading by two sets to one but Martin, twice a semi-finalist, having just broken to lead 1-0 in the fourth.

Tenth seed Mark Philippoussis avoided such complications by racing through the fourth set of his clash with France's Arnaud Di Pasquale before the rain became heavier.

The Australian lost the first set on court one but stormed through a second set tie-break and eventually won 4-6 7-6 6-3 6-0.

The 23-year-old therefore remained on course for a fourth-round clash with Henman.

The seeds were enjoying slightly better fortunes in the bottom half of the draw than the top where only Thomas Enqvist and Sampras remain with Henman, Gustavo Kuerten, Philippoussis and Pat Rafter all coming through.

Kuerten, the Brazilian fourth seed, defeated South African qualifier Justin Bower 6-4 6-4 7-5 in highly impressive style early in the day.

Pat Rafter also did not extend too much energy in beating fellow Australian Todd Woodbridge 6-3 6-3 6-4, gaining revenge for his quarter-final defeat at his hands in 1997.

Defending women's champion Lindsay Davenport came back from the brink to keep her grip on the Wimbledon title in a Court One classic.

But third seed and reigning French Open champion Mary Pierce was not so lucky as she crashed out in straight sets to Spain's Magui Serna.

Davenport, 24, was a double break down in the final set to Russian Elena Likhovtseva before rallying to complete an extraordinary 3-6 6-3 6-3 win