NEW YORK (Aug 25, 1997 - 20:16 EDT) - Anna Kournikova of Russia enjoys the mob of young fans who ask for her autograph after every match and says she welcomes comments about her cover girl looks. "Well, I'm playing for the fans so whenever they come and ask for autographs I always try to give it to everybody because I'm out there for the people," said the 16-year-old rising star, who signed her name for nearly 10 minutes after romping past Sabine Applemans 6-2 6-0 Monday at the U.S. Open. The youngster showed a bit of refreshing naivete when asked how she feels about the young boys who follow her around and yell "I love you, Anna" during her matches. "I think that happens to everybody," she said. Kournikova made an immediate splash in her Open debut last year by reaching the fourth round. This summer she created another stir by getting to the final four at Wimbledon. Attracting at least as much attention as the tennis which has her ranking up to 26 are Kournikova's dazzling good looks. But the the long-haired blonde is hardly embarrassed by the clamor. "I think that tennis is a lady's sport, so we should look out there like ladies," said Kournikova, who has been romantically linked with fellow Russian and ice hockey star Sergei Fedorov of the Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings. "I just try to look after myself and really play," she said.