Mario Ancic

By Sarah Edworthy

Mario Ancic, the second Croat in history after Goran Ivanisevic to qualify for Wimbledon, acknowledged the last-minute tips he had received from the 2001 champion and his next-door neighbour in Split, which helped him to deconstruct the game of one of the tournament favourites, Roger Federer.

"I spoke to Goran on the telephone yesterday and he told me to stay away as much as possible from his forehand and also to attack his second serve whenever I could," he said.

The 18-year-old qualifier and Ivanisevic are close. They were born in the same part of the Adriatic port of Split and grew up on Firule High Street. Ancic, a junior Wimbledon finalist in 2000, is also coached by the Australian Bob Brett, who coached Ivanisevic in his formative years on the Tour.

With fitting symmetry Ancic, nicknamed "Chunchi", made his Centre Court debut the year that Goran, recuperating from shoulder surgery, was unable to defend the title he won so emotionally on that stage last year, thus continuing the Croatian capacity to shock on the lawns of SW19. Ivanisevic has not missed Wimbledon in 14 years.

"I was watching on TV like everyone else in our street," said Ivanisevic. "I would imagine you could hear the cheering for miles when he won. It was a fantastic victory. There's going to be a big party in Split tonight.

"People ask me if I'm jealous but I'm not, I'm delighted for Chunchi, he's a great talent and I will be supporting him all the way, along with the rest of our street and everyone else in the country"