WIMBLEDON, England (AP) - Goran Ivanisevic a three-time Wimbledon finalist, might have another run in him as he shoots for his first title.
The 29-year-old Ivanisevic played 'almost a perfect match' Wednesday, firing 35 aces in a 6-7 (6), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 second-round win over Spain's Carlos Moya.
The Croatian and former world No. 2 was ousted last year in the first round as he nursed a sore left shoulder. Nothing bothered him against Moya.
'It was almost a perfect match,' said Ivanisevic, a wild-card entry in the tournament. 'Maybe not the first set, because maybe I was a little nervous because I'd never beat him. But I thought this was my chance on grass.
'I started a little slow but then I picked up my game. The second, third and fourth sets were just perfect. I can't ask for better.'
Ivanisevic started to slump after a loss in the 1998 Wimbledon final against Pete Sampras. He is looking for a new start this time around.
'It doesn't matter who I play, it matters how I play,' he said. 'When I play good, then I can beat anybody here. But when I play bad, then I cannot even beat some women on the tour.'
His next opponent will be 18-year-old American Andy Roddick in the third round.
'He's a great kid and a great player,' Ivanisevic said of Roddick. 'He's not boring and he shows his emotions. He's going to be the future of tennis. Hits huge serves, huge forehand.
'But it's going to depend how I play. If I serve well and don't let him hit the big serves and big forehands, then I have a chance. I'm more experienced on grass and this is his first senior Wimbledon.'
Although Moya made an effort to adapt his game, serve and volleying at times and coming to the net, he was unable to inflict any damage against the Croatian.
After dropping the first set in a tiebreak, Ivanisevic saved a break point at 1-1 in the second. He then held with a spectacular volley through his legs that forced an error from a surprised Moya.
Building on his confidence, Ivanisevic broke Moya's serve to lead 3-1 and went on to win the second set - blasting four straight aces to close it out.
With fans crammed into every corner on Court No. 18, and watched by fellow-Croatian Iva Majoli, Ivanisevic kept up the pressure on Moya in the third set by breaking with a fine backhand pass to lead 1-0.
Moya had just one opportunity to get even when an Ivanisevic double-fault gave him a break point at 3-2. Ivanisevic responded with three consecutive aces to get out of trouble.
In the fourth set, another break at 1-1 left Ivanisevic firmly in control. With Moya beginning to struggle with his serve, the Croatian held three match points at 5-3.
Ivanisevic squandered those opportunities, but served out at love to win.