Not so pretty

Kournikova, Harkleroad put up little fight in losses

Anna Kournikova committed 40 unforced errors, while Angelique Widjaja committed just 17. Gary M. Prior/Getty Images

NEW YORK, Aug 26 (Reuters) -- The U.S. Open lost some of its glitz and glamour on Monday when Russian Anna Kournikova and American teenager Ashley Harkleroad tripped up at the first hurdle in the season's final Grand Slam.

Kournikova, wearing a midriff-baring white and blue outfit, drew the usual screams of approval when she arrived on the Louis Armstrong court.

But 44 minutes later, the Russian was jeered through the exit doors following an embarrassing 6-3, 6-0 defeat to 17-year-old Indonesian Angelique Widjaja.

It was Kournikova's first-ever opening-round loss at the U.S. Open since making her Flushing Meadows debut in 1996.

"It's disappointing," said Kournikova. "I just didn't play well. I just wasn't in the match for some reason.

"I'm disappointed in myself that I didn't give myself a good show. I don't think it was a pretty match for anyone."

Harkleroad, another paparazzi favorite billed as "America's Kournikova," was unceremoniously dispatched 6-3, 6-2 by former French Open champion Iva Majoli.

Just 17 and easing her way into the WTA Tour, the blonde Harkleroad has had some good results.

While Kournikova continues to bank millions of dollars in endorsements while searching for her first career title, Harkleroad, who regularly travels to New York for modeling assignments, is developing a winning attitude on the court to compliment her good looks.

She recently showed promise in following up a victory over world No. 36 Rita Grande in San Diego by winning an ITF event in New York.

Add a runner-up finish at another recent ITF tournament, mix in a final appearance at this year's French Open junior event and a Wimbledon junior doubles title in 2001, and the signs are that Harkleroad should hit the headlines for her on-court achievements.

"I do some shoots and enjoy that a lot," said Harkleroad, who rejects comparisons with Kournikova. "It's fun to do something different besides tennis and to have something else going on.

"I don't think about it too much when people talk about my looks, and just take it as a compliment and kind of live on."

 

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