EATING AT THE OPEN

Tennis fans were blindsided by afood shakedown at the U.S. Open when guards stripped people of their outside food at the entrance gate:

Ticked-off ticket-holders said the sneak snack attack began around 9 a.m., as they waited to enter and were told that not only were containers barred - but any food.

The container rule had been a security measure since 9/11, officials said. But this year, guards at the gate took it one step further, barring all food - even in plastic wrap.

Foaming-at-the-mouth fans - suspicious that concessionaires' profits were the real motive - stood by garbage cans outside wolfing down their choicest morsels at record speed so they wouldn't have to miss any of the action on the courts.

Others watched in dismay as their treats were tossed into trash cans - refusing to pay a $5 ransom to "check in" any edibles.

"It was disgusting - there were people in their 70s and 80s having sandwiches and drinks taken off them," said Maryann Kelly, 34.

Kelly, who tried to bring in a bag of grapes, a ham sandwich and a yogurt, has been attending the event for 11 years and always brought a brown-bag lunch - considering the alternative meant shelling out $4.50 for bottle of Evian and $7.75 for fries and a hot dog inside.

After a popular rebellion, Open officials relented on the unjust food rule. Power to the people on this one, I say. A stop by the drug store to buy candy is a prerequisite for any trip to the movies for us.