Rusedski's smiles with missiles

The second Saturday at the French Open is women's final day. Schedules are cleared and minds are focused as centre court at Roland Garros is set aside for the showpiece. Not so at Surbiton yesterday, where all eyes were firmly turned towards the battle of the Gs.

The G, in this case, was for Greg (Rusedski) and Goran (Ivanisevic), who accepted a late offer to play an exhibition match in place of Anna Kournikova. Indeed, it was to the great disappointment of every father present yesterday, that the Russian superstar had to withdraw due to injury. In truth, though, the G could have stood for G-force, as the two left-handed powerhouses pinged unstoppable serves at each other. Rusedski retains the world record for that particular skill, having been clocked at 149 miles per hour at Indian Wells in 1998. Ivanisevic, though, is no mean server, having hit the most aces in a single season (1,477 in 1996).

For the organisers of the event, securing this high-profile match was a master stroke. These two players may not possess the clowning abilities of a Mansour Bahrami or an Henri Leconte, but the G & G show did raise a smile or two. In truth, though, this was little more than a chance for some glorified practice on grass. "We had a laugh," Rusedski said, "and it was really good for us to get the feel for the grass ahead of Queen's next week. The grass season is so short these days, that you need these warm-ups."

The standard of the match was adequate, the competitiveness minimal and the mood jovial. Rusedski, no doubt relishing his rare opportunity to claim all the limelight in the absence of Tim Henman, did not stop grinning from start to finish. Even as he lost his opening service game and the first set 6-4, the British No 2 stayed chirpy. His joy was further enhanced when he won the second set 6-3 and then proceeded to triumph in the third, which was, rather bizarrely and suddenly, decided by a tie-break.

For his part, Ivanisevic, who looked tanned and relaxed, managed to keep his legendary temper in check. The trademark yelling and racket breaking ­ which marred his previous appearance at a British tournament in Brighton last November ­ were nowhere to be seen. There was the odd Croatian mumble ("nothing too rude," Goran later insisted), but otherwise the 30-year-old was on his best British tennis club behaviour.

The good people of Surbiton would have expected no less. After all, they see themselves not so much as an appreciative crowd as a knowledgeable one. The applause was gentle and reserved for the very best shots of the day. Needless to say, therefore, that this service-dominated encounter generated only sporadic clapping. Then again, perhaps nobody should have been too surprised at this somewhat restrained audience, whose average age must have been in the fifties and most common features were grey hair and a thermos.

One elderly lady showed surprising agility to avoid a mis-directed missile from Ivanisevic, which bounced over the advertising hoardings and into the terrorised crowd. There were gasps all-round as people feared the worse, but order was rapidly restored once it became apparent that the victim had miraculously managed not to spill a single drop of her tea. The relief was palpable.

Ivanisevic has long been regarded as Wimbledon's favourite bridesmaid. He is a three times runner-up at the All England Club, and remains a firm favourite of the British public. He is unlikely to win in SW19 this year but, like Rusedski, could be a dangerous floater. "I don't think it matters too much whether Goran or I are seeded," Rusedski said. "Sometimes it actually takes the pressure off."

Statistics would appear to back Rusedski's view. His best ever Wimbledon was in 1997 when he reached the quarter-finals unseeded.

Meanwhile, Japan's Rika Fujiwara was leading Kristina Brandi of the United States 6-3 1-2, before that British tennis favourite ­ rain ­ interrupted play.