Max Mirnyi earns hard-fought victory: 6-7 7-6 6-4

Max Mirnyi had to fight his way back against Mario Ancic. The highly talented player from Split, Croatia boldly took the opening set during his first round encounter with the Byelorussian `Service Slammer'. Although Ancic's service returns were also first class, he was unable to prevent the set from going to a tie-break (7-5).

Neither player budged a hair's breadth during the second set, which was again decided in a tie-break. Although Ancic took an early lead (2-0), he produced a double fault just at the wrong moment. Mirnyi broke his opponent's serve once more to take the second set (tie- break score: 7-5).

Losing the second set appeared to shake Ancic's confidence. He had difficulties holding his service games and was unable to prevent Mirnyi from breaking his service at 3-3. Mirnyi subsequently went on to take the third set 6-4. Says Ancic afterwards: "We were both serving well, so it was always going to be a question of just one or two points. I still can't believe I lost my service in the seventh game, but I did. I had opportunities to turn the match around, but Mirnyi was simply the better player."