It was a dramatic showdown between lovely tennis ace Anna Kournikova and the man accused of stalking her, Wednesday as she came face-to-face with him a Miami courtroom.

"It's very frightening and scary knowing there's somebody out there who's obsessive," Anna testified from the stand.

Prosecutors say Kournikova has every reason to be afraid of the accuser, 40-year-old William Lepeska. He's already been convicted and served time for stabbing a sleeping college student in Milwaukee.

In court, Lepeska acted as his own attorney, in shackles, firing questions at Anna as the bold beauty stood strong.

"Why is it that you and your team did not address the author of the letters," Lepeska asked of letters he had allegedly sent to Kournikova.

"I told them I didn't want to encourage any kind of action between me and that person," Anna replied.

"Do you have any secret prejudice against Americans?" Lepeska later queried.

"Absolutely not," Anna stated. "I love this country. I've been living here since 1991."

Lepeska was arrested in January near Kournikova's $5 million Miami Beach mansion. Cops say he swam nude across Biscayne Bay in search of Anna, who he claimed was "expecting his arrival." According to the police report, the homeless Lepeska, who has "Anna" tattooed on his right bicep, shouted, "Anna, Save Me" as he was taken to jail.

Lepeska has been jailed since cops arrested him near Anna's estate. He has pleaded not guilty to battery and other charges. If convicted he could face up to 30 years in prison.

Today, the judge granted Anna a permanent restraining order, keeping Lepeska 1,000 feet away from the tennis star at all times.

"If I had known she had no such feelings toward me I would never have gone there," Lepeska told the court. "I regret it; I sincerely apologize."