Tennis: Cup heroics fuel Ancic's adoring fans

Mario Ancic and his team will be something to reckon with today. Picture / Paul Estcourt

No matter the outcome of today's men's international final, Mario Ancic will be a winner with his growing band of fans.

The Davis Cup guaranteed that.

The 3-2 victory Ancic and Ivan Ljubcic scored for Croatia over Slovakia indoors in Bratislava early last month was a life-changing experience for Ancic and Croatian tennis.

Ancic clinched that history-making victory beating Michal Mertinak in straight sets in the final rubber after losing his first singles in four to Dominik Hrbaty.

That triumph, with inspirational Goran Ivanisevic courtside, sparked unprecedented scenes in sport-mad Croatia. The heroic victors, who had beaten the United States (away), Romania (at home in the quarter-finals) and Russia (also at home in the semifinals) returned to unbridled mayhem.

The partying will continue when Ancic and his team-mates return.

Hardly the best preparation for another year on the ATP Tour but one which Ancic happily shrugged off.

He lost second round in three sets to eventual finalist Xavier Malisse (Belgium) last week in Adelaide but bounced back at this week's Heineken Open to win through to this afternoon's final with four straight sets victories including a comfortable romp over top seed and defending champion Fernando Gonzalez.

"The reaction at home was unbelievable," said Ancic. "There have been a couple of big sporting occasions in Croatian history. This was not a small thing.

"It was the biggest thrill in my life. Whatever you do afterwards, the first time is always special. It is tough to put in your head that you are a Davis Cup winner. We have a great team with a great spirit," said Ancic.

"Now we want to defend it but it won't be easy. We have to start with an away match against Austria in February."

Only the bravest would dare wager against Ancic and his mates.