Russian tennis beauty Anna Kournikova has raised temperatures by firing a verbal volley at her actress rival, Liz Hurley, calling her "ugly".

The 19-year-old star, whose glamorous looks have turned heads at Wimbledon, is said to have made the comment to a writer for Russian Vogue.

The sideswipe comes just days after both women attended a charity tennis bash at Buckingham Palace, attracting huge attention from national newspapers.

Kournikova, whose talent could not prevent her from crashing out of the singles in the second round at this year's Wimbledon, was said to have won the fashion battle between the pair.

Rival Liz, 35, has become used to grabbing the headlines through a series of stunning frocks worn at high-profile events. She shot to fame wearing a Versace dress at the premiere of former boyfriend Hugh Grant's film, Four Weddings and a Funeral.

Last night the apparent spat between the pair was met with a mystified reaction from those working in the beauty business in the North-East.

Lesley Middlemiss, who runs Newcastle model agency Tyne Tees Models, said: "I don't know why on earth Anna would make this comment. Both women are very glamorous and we would gladly take them onto our books.

"It all seems a bit petty, but then sometimes women can be like that, as can men."

Peter Lord, boss of Saks Hair and Beauty Salon in Darlington, said: "This is a bit of a difficult one this.

"Beauty is such a subjective thing."

Grudge glamour game - Page 10