WORLD number one Monica Seles captured the hearts of local tennis fans on her Hongkong debut when she defeated bubbly young American Jennifer Capriati 7-5, 7-5 last night in the First Pacific Challenge at Victoria Park.
Giving a few hints of what to expect for the new season, Seles stepped into top gear at exactly the right moments to beat off the challenge of the popular 16-year-old Capriati, last year's winner.
The holder of seven Grand Slam titles treated the estimated 3,500 fans to some of her trademark two-handed ground strokes, drawing gasps of delight from the crowd, which included Governor Chris Patten, Chief Secretary Sir David Ford, taipan Simon Murray and popular local singer Leslie Cheung.
But even before the clash started, Seles, who held back her infamous grunting for most of the match, and Capriati endeared themselves to the crowd by hitting souvenir tennis balls into the stands.
Governor Patten, sitting in the patrons' box with his wife Lavender, was one of the recipients, catching a ball hit by Capriati.
''It was a good way to start the year,'' said the 19-year-old Seles, who thanked the fans for their support. ''I had a lot of fun.'' After the match, Seles went straight to the airport to catch a flight to Australia to begin preparations for this month's Australian Open, the first Grand Slam competition of the season.
