Event struggling to live up to "Happy Slam" image

MELBOURNE, Jan 19 (Reuters) Just days after being dubbed the ''Happy Slam'' by champion Roger Federer, the Australian Open's image has been tarnished after security at the event was called into question.

Brawling fans and a report of a police investigation into a allegations that a boy was indecently assaulted have taken the focus away from what should have been two weeks of high-quality tennis.

The last five days have added a new dimension to grand slam tennis and one that may have a knock-on effect on how other events, including the French and US Opens and Wimbledon, make security arrangements.

When Federer welcomed the world to the ''Happy Slam'' on the eve of the championships, little did he know what was in store.

About 150 fans were evicted from the Melbourne Park grounds on Monday after fighting flared between rival Croat and Serb supporters just after 1200 local time.

It was the first time such violence had flared in more than 100 years of grand slam tennis.

Police said they were surprised by the scale of Monday's incident, admitting they were under-prepared to deal with the brawling fans.

The tournament was on high security alert 24 hours later as a match on a far-flung court came under the spotlight.

A contest between lowly-ranked qualifiers Ilija Bozoljac and Marin Cilic would normally have not registered on the tennis radar.

But the fact that Cilic was Croatian and Bozoljac Serbian, gave Tuesday's match unprecedented significance as many thought it could be a flashpoint for rival fractions.

As it was, the contest was completed without a hitch and spectators around the court were vastly outnumbered by security personnel and members of the media.

ANOTHER CONTROVERSY Just when it seemed as if the negative publicity would become a thing of the past and Federer and company would be allowed grab back the column inches with their on-court prowess, another controversy marred the Open.

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