'Anna fever' hits Australia

Kournikova has proved popular with Australians

BBC Sport Online's Colin Banks from the Adidas International in Sydney.

She may only be ranked 74 in the world, but Anna Kournikova is receiving the sort of media attention reserved for royalty and sports legends.

Her second round match against Serena Williams was played in a 'Davis Cup' atmosphere as her fans whipped themselves up into a frenzy after she came back from the brink to snatch the second set 6-4.

Despite having chances to defeat a tired and out-of-shape Williams in the final set, she ultimately lost 6-2 4-6 6-3.

I felt as if I could have gone on for longer

Anna Kournikova

"I played pretty well today, but was unlucky in some of the important points," Kournikova said.

"It's pretty hard to see her serve so I had trouble returning it. I played for two hours though and felt great. I felt as if I could have gone on for longer."

Certainly the majority of fans, the tournament and the gathered media were hoping for an extended Kournikova run.

Nobody sells tennis like Anna, so the longer she lasts in a tournament - the more coverage she generates.

Anna fever has dominated the Australian media for the past few days.

Anna's classy forehand in action

A routine first round win on Monday against Spain's Angeles Montolio and a brief outing on the doubles court with Martina Hingis was rewarded with primetime TV coverage on the national news.

Unsurprisingly she also dominated the back page of all three major Sydney Newspapers.

All this, despite an entry that includes seven of the world's top ten players in the women's event alone.

When asked about the excessive media attention she is receiving in Sydney despite her ranking, Anna was quick to respond.

"I don't have to worry about other people's opinions," she said.

"I'm just here to play. I did my job on the court and that's it."

Anna is a prize asset for the Women's Tennis Association, which is why they have awarded her 'Gold Exempt Status' for the 2002 season.

The Gold Exempt Player List features the 20 most marketable players in the sport. Kournikova features at number nine.

Not only will she receive 'bonus pool money' from meeting her committed number of tournaments, but she has the right to receive unlimited wild-cards into tournaments - something that is necessary if she is continue her rise back up the rankings.

That marketability was proven last week when she played in the low-key Auckland tournament. 'Anna fever' gripped the city so much that the event was sold-out for the first time in history.

I don't even know what the word negative means

Serena Williams

Kournikova's conqueror, Serena Williams is another prime asset for the WTA and features at number five on the list.

Serena knows, though, that she will need to pick up her form if she is to continue her run in Sydney.

"I'm not pleased with my game at all," she said.

"It's tough when you play like this. I felt as if I only got about ten first serves in today.

"I don't want any negative thoughts in my mind though - I don't even know what the word negative means."

The Anna roadshow continues this week in the doubles, before moving on to to Melbourne and the Australian Open.

She may only be the 61st highest ranked player in the draw there, but there is no doubting the importance of her to the tournament, and the world's media who will be converging for the first Grand Slam of the season.