WIMBLEDON, England -- What's another day or two when you've waited 63 years for one of your countrymen to reach the Wimbledon men's singles final.

It merely gives the squatters on "Henman Hill" an extra chance to spread their blankets, scream at a giant video screen and hope Tiger Tim finally finishes off Goran Ivanisevic in Sunday's semifinal.

If he does, watch out.

The staid All England Club could be cheerfully chaotic Monday if fans queue for tickets to see Henman play as the first Briton in a Wimbledon men's final since Bunny Austin in 1938.

And if he beats Patrick Rafter -- becoming the first Briton to hoist the championship singles trophy since Fred Perry in 1936 -- stiff upper lips throughout this island kingdom will spread into huge grins.

"We would consult with the police and the local authorities, certainly, absolutely" to decide how to sell tickets for Monday to a tournament that was supposed to end Sunday, club chief executive Chris Gorringe said.

The last time the tournament was extended a day for a men's or women's final was 1988. For Henman, it would be his fourth straight day on Centre Court.

Fans without tickets to the court itself flocked to newly nicknamed "Henman Hill," a plot of land inside Wimbledon. They stared at the screen until dark Friday night when the semifinal was suspended.

Henman was leading 5-7, 7-6 (6), 6-0, 2-1 before too little light remained after rain stopped following a two-hour delay.

On Saturday, their sneakers soggy and their shorts damp from sitting on wet grass, fans stayed put through a light but steady rain that delayed the re-start 4 1/2 hours.

Finally, the canvas covering the court came off, the players came on and the fans -- who had endured the sight of former President Clinton in the royal box and the sounds of the band of the Welsh Guards playing Barry Manilow's "Copacabana" -- had something to cheer about.

"We are very ambitious for this event to try to look after customers' interests as well as we possibly can," tournament and All England Club chairman Tim Phillips said.

Finally, the fans got what they paid precious pounds for. Tennis. All 52 minutes of it.

That's how long it took three-time runner-up Ivanisevic to win the fourth set 7-6, go ahead 3-2 in the fifth set and fall behind 15-30 in the sixth game.

The fourth-set tiebreaker was even at 5-5, leaving Henman two points from victory. But the colorful Croat got those points, winning the tiebreaker 7-5.

Then he took a lead in the fifth as drizzle became heavier. At one point, Ivanisevic slipped and fell but still put a passing shot by Henman.

With the score 30-15 and Henman serving in the sixth game, the grounds crew took over Centre Court, tugging the tarp from the side and covering it within seconds.

Ninety minutes later, the postponement to Sunday was announced.

"We have a weather forecast that is guaranteeing us a dry day," Wimbledon referee Alan Mills said.

Yeah, right.