BBC SPORT | Tennis | Wimbledon | Kournikova impresses in doubles

And with the few remaining singles matches now played on Centre Court and Court One, Kournikova's mixed-doubles match on Tuesday was a major draw for those with ground passes.

The Russian partnered Swede Jonas Bjorkman against Todd Woodbridge and Martina Navratilova on Court Two in a rain-delayed second-round match.

And there was a healthy queue for the free standing area well before the scheduled start time of 1200BST.

Navratilova savours long goodbye

Little did the paying public know they would be in for a frustrating day, but even during the seemingly endless rain delays there was competition for places in the stands.

When the players first emerged Kournikova looked faintly embarrassed at the obligatory wolf-whistles and laughed nervously at a few of Navratilova's jokes at the net.

Martina Navratilova stretches for a forehand volley
Navratilova had supportive words for Kournikova

The contrast between 45-year-old Navratilova and Kournikova, 24 years her junior, was an intriguing one.

Navratilova commands a crowd because of her towering achievements in the game as both a singles and doubles player.

For the moment at least, Kournikova can only dream of such standing and has to constantly defend herself for earning far more off the court than on it.

But the Russian cannot be accused of taking the doubles lightly, and after a tentative start proved the dominant player as the afternoon became evening.

And seven hours after the match was due to start she fired an ace past Navratilova to secure a win, and the warm congratulations of her opponents.

Kournikova's commitment is understandable.

Compared to the paltry �200,000 she earned on court last year, there are rich pickings to be had for those who stick around after the singles.

Crowd pleaser

If Kournikova and Chanda Rubin win the women's doubles they will share �194,250, while the victorious mixed doubles pair must split �88,500.

But the player is not the only party to profit - something Navratilova is more than aware of.

"She's not taking money away from anyone and she's created a whole new market, and a new base of fans who will have such a good time they'll want to watch the rest of us."

If anyone doubts the benefit to a tournament of Kournikova's presence, they only have to see the desperate efforts of spectators to get a seat for her doubles matches.

And Navratilova is convinced that Kournikova can still make headway in the singles.

"She's had a lot of hype but I don't think she's courted the attention too much in the last couple of years.

"She's very serious about becoming a better tennis player.

Doubles pedigree

"She's only 21 and I didn't really get going until I was 25. She can get better and get into the top 25."

While Kournikova is still looking for a first singles title of any kind, she has already has pedigree in the doubles world.

A twice Australian Open champion, with Martina Hingis, she was world number one in January 2000.

But as the Centre Court scoreboard overlooking Court Two gave updates of the quarter-finals in the women's singles, there was no escaping the fact the Kournikova is still something of a sideshow.


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