Andy Murray has finally returned to the ATP tour. He’s been injured since Hamburg, and since then it’s been a week-by-week injury report, with last-minute withdrawals being commonplace. The great British hope and former top-10 talent will be back in time for his self-proclaimed “favourite Grand Slam”, the US Open – and not a moment too soon, being that Flushing Meadows is later this month.

Murray’s comeback may have actually overshadowed something else of note – and it doesn’t even have to do with him. There’s another player coming back on the courts this week after a long hiatus of his own. Think Hamburg was a while ago? Now think back to Marseille, back in early February – that was the last time we saw Mario Ancic playing.

The towering Croat has largely been forgotten by many, with most of the 'injured list' talk centring on Murray. Ancic’s ranking – which was No.9 when he became afflicted with mononucleosis – has now plummeted to No.38, which is well off the mainstream tennis radar. In addition, the more 'trendy' (and I do use that term loosely) Murray contrasts with Ancic, who despite being only 23, is already a well-established quasi-veteran on tour.

'The more ''trendy'' (and I do use that term loosely) Murray contrasts with Ancic, who despite being only 23, is already a well-established quasi-veteran on tour'

Mario played his return match on Tuesday night against Frederic Niemeyer, a Canadian who was granted a wild card exemption into Montreal. Amazingly, there wasn’t a hint of rust in Ancic’s game, as he got through the hometown favourite with ease, 6-4, 6-2. Forget the fact that Niemeyer isn’t a top 15 player – or even Frank Dancevic – Ancic won 92% of his first-serve points, and 81% of his second-serve points. These are truly astounding numbers, no matter who the opponent is, and especially for someone who’s barely played at all this year.

Ancic built up his ranking from the top 20 to top 10 since the beginning of 2006 with extremely consistent results throughout the year, especially at Masters Series events. However, he’s never won one. Accomplishing that feat in Canada may be a tall order – but later in the year at Madrid or Paris? I could see that, especially considering that all of Ancic’s seven titles have come on grass or carpet tournaments.

One last note about Ancic – his best performance at the US Open has been a round two berth in 2005. From 2002-2004, he was a first-round casualty each year. Ancic would best be served to continue what he was doing before his prolonged absence, as his game and ranking prospered. Just scrap the poor play at Flushing Meadows.

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