Personal charm can take you a long way in life, and as followers of tennis in Bermuda know, Pat Rafter has it in abundance.

However it is unlikely that anyone could progress to the very top in the sport -- as Rafter did for an albeit brief period -- without having some semblance of a darker, more competitive side.

For the third time in two matches, Rafter showed that side briefly during his victory against compatriot Todd Woodbridge, one half of the famous Woodies doubles partnership, smashing his racket on the floor in a fit of temper after missing a straightforward volley. A number of commentators agreed that a less likeable player would have found himself issued with a code violation or a warning.

What made it the more inexplicable was that Rafter was at the time carrying out some breaking of an altogether different kind, that of Woodbridge's serve.

He achieved that twice for a 3-0 lead in the first set and after he briefly dropped his own serve, hit back for a third break to take it 6-3. A break in the sixth game of the second set made that an equally comfortable outcome for the Brisbane-born serve and volleyer, now resident in Pembroke.

Woodbridge, a fine volleyer himself in the doubles tradition, couldn't get near the net often enough to make that ability count, and Rafter, improving his record at Wimbledon to 19 wins and seven losses, broke him early in the third for a 3-0 lead again and, although he dropped his serve once more, it was the end for Woodbridge.

Speaking afterwards, Rafter again revealed his inner toughness. The pair had met five times before but only once on grass, at Wimbledon in 1997, when Woodbridge won and advanced to the semi finals.

Then, he said, he had been too accommodating to his countryman.

"I found in '97 when we played that it was a bit of a strange feeling,'' said Rafter. "I was trying to play Mr Nice Guy. I made my mind up today that I was going to knuckle down and not show any loyalty or friendship out there. I was very hungry.'' He said he had no sympathy after beating his fellow Australian.

"It happens all the time,'' he said. "You can't look at it like that. There are so many other guys from your country on the Tour that you're bound to run into someone.'' Rafter, who hit 28 winners, many from the baseline, added: "I did play well today but Todd got a little bit upset about the way he was serving.'' He did not say it in so many words, but Rafter, who is still on the road back following serious shoulder surgery, implied that he was looking to win the tournament.

Last year's semi-final victim of Andre Agassi said: "When I play now, it's not for the money, it's for goals. I'm not here to make just the third or fourth round.'' More Wimbledon on page 36.