Mario Ancic

By Moira Gordon
The Scotsman

TIM Henman was still in the locker room last year, packing his bags, when Boris Becker hailed the lad who had triumphed over the home favourite. "The future has arrived and his name is Mario Ancic," the German declared.

The statement perhaps proved slightly premature, as the young Croat fell to Andy Roddick in the subsequent semi-final, but the 21-year-old is back and, having dropped just one set in his first three matches, is still one to watch.

Inspired by the 2001 Wimbledon victory of his hero and mentor Goran Ivanisevic, the likeable 6'5" right-hander has more than promise to offer, though. He has sprinklings of quality throughout his short Wimbledon history. A finalist in the boys' Wimbledon final in 2000, he has a game that is suited to the grass surface. He likes the low bounce and the faster courts and of course he has already proved he can beat some of the best exponents. Renowned as the boy wonder who beat Roger Federer in 2002, singling him out as the last man to beat the World No.1 and reigning king of the SW19 courts on grass, and becoming the first teenager to win his Wimbledon debut on Centre Court since Bjorn Borg in 1973, he stumbled in the first round himself the following year before bouncing back with last year's surge to the semis, claiming Henman's scalp on the way.

Those headline-grabbing victories, allied to his relationship with fans' favourite Ivanisevic, have gained him notoriety and the backing of the crowd.

"I'm not worried what people recognise me for, it's just important they come and watch. I feel there are a lot of people behind me here. You know, I feel great here so I don't really care that they remember me for winning the first round here, beating Roger, because when I see a lot of people cheering for me and wanting me to win, it's a great feeling."

Ivanisevic fell in love with this historic Grand Slam during his playing career to the extent that winning it became his holy grail, and now acting as a friend and advisor to his younger countryman, there are similarities between the two. Ancic may lack the bonkers, chameleonesque personality of his role model but he shares his heart-warming attitude and zest. Superficially, the playful and lively brown eyes are features in common, while there are also similarities in their mannerisms and husky voices. And they both cut imposing figures, thanks to their height, which also helps with the delivery of aces to aid the quest for points - even on second serves.

But while there always a sense of wonder whenever Goran talked, people were never quite sure which of the many versions of the complex character had loped into the media room. Ancic is a more placid and predictable chap. More in control of his emotions and able to tether his thoughts to prevent them racing away with themselves, he maintains his composure, hits stronger returns, and plays steadier volleys.

Which is why so many people believe that the future could still be Ancic. It won't be easy. Seeded tenth, he is in the toughest half of the men's draw, which means he has both Lleyton Hewitt and two-times champion Federer barring his path to the final. But Ivanesivic for one is convinced such tasks are within the capabilities of the player he first met as a ten-year-old fan in their hometown of Split.

"You look at Federer, you look at Hewitt, Roddick, Henman, but anyone who doesn't look at Mario and realise he is ready to be champion is just crazy," says Ivanisevic. "He possesses something a little bit special.

For too long people called Mario the new Goran, but that was wrong, because he is a player in his own right and now he is better than me in several ways. He now has a much better first volley - in fact I think his volley is better than anyone currently in the game, and I include Henman.

"He returns very well, and although I thought I was good, Mario is better than me."

He has certainly struggled to break sweat against the calibre of opponent trying to halt his progress thus far this week. Qualifier Tobias Summerer of Germany was first up and he lost 6-3, 7-5, 6-1. Then it was another qualifier, Danai Udomchoke, who at least took one set off him on the way to his 7-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 defeat. Next up was Frenchman Gael Monfils and Ancic made light work of him, triumphing 6-3, 6-3, 6-1.

But despite the ease with which he has progressed and the references offered up by the likes of both Becker and Ivanesivic, Ancic is keeping a lid on expectations.

"No, I mean I am playing a guy who beat Marat [Safin], which, you know, I thought Marat would win. I thought this was the year. When I was watching the matches he was playing the best on grass. So, he [Lopez] must have played a good match to win."

But while he has goals he also has a healthy relationship with realism and is willing to show patience as well as perseverance. "I had a very good last year. But I'm that kind of person that I want to go further. I think that my game is there that I can play with the big guys. I showed in Wimbledon and I want to keep showing this year the same that I did last year. I want to play good in grand slams. This year I want to play a final of an ATP and I try to win a tournament, try to win the first one. I want to keep improving my game and go even further in rankings.

"But [last year] by coming to the semis, I show I can be there. Still I think there is a long way to go. I need to be consistent. But you taste that, a little bit, and now you want to be there and hang in there."

For the moment he's doing just that.