Super Mario looking forward

Tim Henman was responsible for one of Mario Ancic's greatest parties. The young Croat, who faces the British No1 in the Wimbledon quarter-finals today, danced on the streets of Split when Goran Ivanisevic won the title in 2001.

Ancic admits to partying for "a couple of days" with Ivanisevic on the champion's return to the Adriatic coast after a Wimbledon campaign that featured a remarkable semi-final victory over Henman.

Unseeded Ancic revealed that Ivanisevic's Wimbledon victory in 2001 was a huge inspiration to a generation of Croatian tennis players.

"It was a great experience for all of us," said Ancic. "A lot of us got some confidence from that win because it showed what was possible.

"We are a small country but we've got a lot of guys coming through, like Ivo Karlovic. That's all down to Goran. So many kids picked up a racket just because of him. He's not only a big tennis star, he is such a character and everybody adores him.

"I've been lucky to have had the opportunity to learn from him."

The 20-year-old Ancic has had to endure comparisons with Ivanisevic since he first started practising with the great man as a 10-year-old.

He comes from the same street in Split as Ivanisevic, partnered him in the Croat Olympic team four years ago, at the age of just 16, and admits to looking on him as "my big brother".

Ancic even has the same type of character as his countryman. He claims they are not too much different with their temperament but insists he is his own man.

"He's a great guy," said Ancic. "We speak often, whether it is about tennis or something else. We are just typical guys from Split. I grew up with people saying I am the second Goran."

It is not known whether Ivanisevic will be able to make it for Ancic's quarter-final against Henman today but the signs are that Super