ANNA KOURNIKOVA - ALLEGED KOURNIKOVA STALKER ARRESTED

A homeless man has been charged with stalking ANNA KOURNIKOVA, after allegedly swimming nude across Florida's Biscayne Bay searching for tennis star's home.

WILLIAM LEPESKA, 40, was arrested on 30 January (05) in Miami Beach after he allegedly swam 200 yards in a hunt for Kournikova's $5 million (GBP2.6 million) waterfront home.

The man was arrested after he got out of the water and ended up in a neighbour's pool area three houses down.

Police say Lepeska screamed, "Anna! Save me!" as he was taken away. Lepeska, who has 'Anna' tattooed on his right arm, was hostile at the police station and was subdued with pepper spray and a baton, say police.

Lepeska allegedly bombarded the Russian stunner with letters and emails and "made several alarming statements" indicating he believed the tennis star was expecting him, according to police.

A publicist for Kournikova says, "(The incident) had caused Anna to be very concerned and fearful for her safety."

He also was charged with exposing himself in the presence of a child after the young daughter of another neighbour saw Lepeska laying in a "very lewd manner" by the pool.

A Miami-Dade County Court judge issued a restraining order against Lepeska, who is currently being held in lieu of $26,000 (GBP13,684) bail. He is due back in court today (09FEB05).