TENNIS/Collins Cup: Some of them flocked out of the Four Seasons Hotel and across the road to the Royal Dublin Society carrying their choc box-sized Brown Thomas bags. Johnny Watterson reports.
Younger fans stuffed fast food into their mouths and strained over the security men's heads to get a better look at Monica Seles helping Lindsay Davenport to warm up prior to her first match against Barbara Schett last night.
Strange days these. Big name tennis in December in Dublin. A grand slam winner, Davenport, hitting balls at the eager Schett in the first match of the Dublin Trilogy event, and behind them in the queue to get on court Anna Kournikova and Monica Seles.
As a Ryder Cup-styled contest, you probably wouldn't have put your SSIA savings on the Europeans winning. An American team battling under the weight of their howitzers and anti-tank weapons, the Williams sisters, Serena and Venus, along with Seles, Jennifer Capriati and Davenport facing a European side devoid of Kim Clijsters, Justine Henin, Amelie Mauresmo, Martina Hingis and, most recently, the Yugoslavian player Jelena Dokic, who pulled out on Wednesday because of an injured ankle, seemed like a one-sided caper.
Davenport, strikingly tall and lean, possessed the knowing demeanour of a champion, but her long ground strokes did not quite shred the eager Austrian in front of a declared audience, courtesy of Sky 1, ESPN and Star, of over 100 million households world wide.
Outside, in the foyers, the merchandise was moving. Collins Cup Tee-shirts, Europe v America sweat tops and giant "Thumbs up" gloves.
Inside, the team captains, Annabel Croft for Europe and Zina Garrison for the US, led out their players to the sound of U2 and a public address warning.
"For those of you sitting by the court, please be aware of the balls coming at you at a fast rate of speed."
Then, sinking into the lavish, courtside sofas, both captains almost disappeared into the seat before a welcome hand saved the moment and their dignity.
Croft, when aged 15 and a Wimbledon junior champion in the 1980s, became the youngest Briton to play in the main Wimbledon draw for around 100 years. She then retired at 21 while still ranked in the world top 25.
It was Davenport who shaped the opening match, which had its fair share of first set errors and went with serve until 2-2. Schett was first to break the American for 3-2, but Davenport immediately replied to level at 3-3.
Davenport continued to threaten the Austrian's serve but survived for 4-4 and took the set to 6-5 before twice offering Schett break opportunities.
Finally a backhand slice into the net gave America the expected lead.
While it might not have been much for Davenport to beat Schett, it was something else if she was going to lose to her. Five weeks down the road and Davenport draws Schett in the Australian Open and Schett is thinking about how she defeated Davenport in Dublin.
It's an exhibition, but memories are long and psychological advantages are tucked away, particularly by the lower ranked players when they claim a big scalp.
Davenport finally clinched the US's first win when she earned five break points in the second set, winning it on the fifth for 7-5.
"We all come here hoping to do well in the event. You want to get the crowd involved a little and then try to enjoy it more than a tour event," said Davenport.
"Events like these also give players a chance to improve what they are working on. It's a great idea. It's fun and I hope it becomes an annual event."
When asked if the dominant Williams sisters could ever compete with men, both Schett and Davenport were in little doubt.
"Women's tennis and men's tennis is different. It wouldn't be close. No," said Davenport.
When Kournikova and Seles entered the fray for the later slot, the spectator interest visibly increased. With the auditorium almost three-quarters full, the prospect of the Russian against the Serb-American clearly offered more of a spectacle.
After the warm-up, Kournikova removed her tracksuit top to get ready to play. There was a round of applause. It was probably the easiest she has received.
