Super Mario Marches On
27 June 2004
by Michael Haydock
On Friday the old Goran bade farewell to Wimbledon. Today the main claimant to the "new Goran" crown made his way into the last 16.
Ivanisevic, when asked about his 20-year-old compatriot Mario Ancic on Friday, said: "I think he can be a great player. He's still young. But he's going to learn." He seems to be learning quickly.
Ancic rushed past 25th seed Dominik Hrbaty in straight sets today, 7-5, 6-3, 7-5. The Croat took a while to settle into his game, initially having trouble at the net and relying on his serve to haul him out of trouble. A quick exchange of breaks in the first set was followed by a few solid service games to love by Hrbaty, who looked the stronger player.
But it was the Slovak who lost his nerve first. Apparently straightforward groundstrokes were clumsily dealt with, and Hrbaty handed Ancic the first set 7-5. It seemed Hrbaty's confidence, which had been so high against Britain's Mark Hilton in the previous round, was splintering. His service games became tighter in the second set and Ancic took advantage in the sixth game. The Croat then snatched it 6-3.
Hrbaty had a reason not to expect victory: he has played at Wimbledon eight times but his two wins this year marked just his second and third wins here. What's more, before The Championships this year, Hrbaty had only won one match on grass at any level.
Conversely, Ancic has a reputation for upsetting seeds here at Wimbledon. As a qualifier he sensationally beat future champion Roger Federer in 2002 (then the seventh seed), and he has already seen off 33rd seed Luis Horna this year. He also made it to the third round of Queen's.
It was perhaps unsurprising, therefore, when Ancic broke Hrbaty in the seventh game of the third set and then, after a break each, almost sauntered to victory. Both players had chances to take charge of this match, but it was the Croat who made the most of his. The new Goran? Quite possibly, if he keeps playing like this.