BOURNEMOUTH teenager Tim Hewitt has set his sights on making his mark on the senior circuit next year after claiming the scalp of former British No.1 Tim Henman this week.

The 18-year-old from Poole beat the four-time Wimbledon semi finalist 3-2 in a turbo-tennis exhibition match at Reed's School after Henman returned to his old school to cast his eye over the class of 2007.

Former St Peters School pupil Hewitt is a final year scholar at the LTA-funded school in Surrey - the same place where Henman honed his talent as part of the David Lloyd Slater Squad between the ages of 10 and 17.

Hewitt is the star attraction at Reed's having landed the under 18 national title in 2006, and after underlining his talent with victory over the former world No.4, he is fully focused on following Henman's path and making the step up from talented youngster to tour professional.

"I won a tournament when I was 10 where the prize was to play against Tim, but this was a different experience," said Hewitt.

"It is definitely the biggest scalp of my career so far and hopefully I can claim a few more in the not too distant future.

"It was bizarre because he has always been such a hero of mine but once I was on the court it does not matter who is at the other end."

Meanwhile, Henman is tipping the former West Hants Club prodigy for big things after coming face-to-face with him on his former stamping ground.

And with London's O2 Arena set to stage the renamed ATP World Tour Final from 2009 - the Olympic silver medallist believes Hewitt's Reed's adventure will give him every chance of making the grade at the highest level.

Henman added: "I wish these youngsters all the success for the future and I know without my time here I would not have achieved what I did in tennis."