Croatia a factor after all
Upset by Ancic evokes Ivanisevic
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Goran is Goran. He’s unique……………………………………… I’m Mario.”
By HOWARD FENDRICH, The Associated Press
WIMBLEDON, ENGLAND – Even if defending champion Goran Ivanisevic isn’t at Wimbledon, his considerable spirit is alive and well in the form of another lanky Croatian: Mario Ancic.
Think of the 18-year-old qualifier as Goran without the goatee — or the self-diagnosed multiple personalities.
Making his Grand Slam debut, the 154th-ranked Ancic produced the tournament’s first major upset by dominating No. 7-seeded Roger Federer 6-3, 7-6 (2), 6-3 Tuesday on Centre Court.
In his Centre Court debut last year, Federer upset seven-time champion Pete Sampras in the fourth round.
Ancic looks like, talks like and sometimes plays like Ivanisevic, who’s home in Croatia after shoulder surgery.
“Goran is Goran, not me. I just knew him for a long time,” said Ancic, whose English syntax mirrors that of his mentor. “We are not too much difference, with our temperament.”