Pat Rafter has shown nerves of steel to win two US Open finals in front of packed houses at Flushing Meadows.

But last night, in front of a few hundred fans at the humble surroundings of the centre court at Coral Beach, Paget, he got the jitters.

Island resident and world number six Rafter confessed that performing in front of his adopted home crowd in the first round of the Bermuda Open doubles had stirred a few butterflies in the stomach.

But to the delight of hundreds of the Australian's adoring fans, he and his partner Paul Kilderry recovered from a bad start to beat Argentinians Diego Del Rio and Guillermo Canas 3-6, 7-6, 6-4.

"I was a little bit nervous walking on the court,'' said Rafter after the match. "It was a weird feeling.

"It was a great atmosphere out there. Everyone was enjoying themselves. I think tennis is a lot better to watch when you've had a few beers.'' The reigning US Open champion has started 1999 poorly by his standards and said he hoped Bermuda would act as a springboard for him to improve his form.

Asked how he felt his year was going, Rafter said: "Not good so far, but I'm going to try and start my recovery now. Even though this is a smaller tournament, these are the sort of games which can help turn things around.

"This year I just want to keep doing well in Grand Slams and Davis Cup -- those are my priorities.'' Rafter was certainly well short of his best during a first set which had the crowd gasping more at his unforced errors than spectacular winners.

The light-hearted introduction over the tannoy which had Rafter and Kilderry laughing while they warmed up and passing moped riders on Middle Road shouting `Come on, Patrick!' would have done little to help him concentrate. By contrast, the South Americans looked utterly focused.

Kilderry's serve was broken in the third game, as both he and his esteemed partner fluffed volleys they should have killed.

Rafter, serving at 3-5, was himself broken, after one of several devastating topspin lobs played by Canas helped the underdogs to clinch the first set.

In the early stages, unforced errors had brought a few wry smiles from Rafter, but as the second set progressed with little sign of improvement from the Aussies, the smiles turned to grimaces of frustration and cries of anguish.

After serving two double faults at 0-1, Rafter found himself break point down, but redeemed himself with a spectacular volley winner and went on to win the game.

The fans were treated to an occasional glimpse of Rafter's hallmark athleticism around the net but the dogged Argentinians conceded nothing and took the set to a tiebreaker.

The Aussies and number three seeds had to win it and they did, 7-3, thanks chiefly to some solid volleys from Kilderry.

Rafter and Kilderry then hit a purple patch, streaking into a 3-0 third-set lead, but their opponents refused to throw in the towel and after Kilderry fluffed an easy smash to gift them a service break, they pulled back to 3-3.

An enthralling contest was finally won by the Aussies when Canas's serve was broken.

Rafter added: "I enjoyed it, but it always better when you win. I've got to keep the training going and match practice is the best way to do it.

Last night's second-round singles match between Richey Reneberg and Dirk Dier was rained off with Dier one set up and 2-1 up in the second. The match will be completed today at a time to be arranged.

OPEN RESULTS AND SCHEDULE YESTERDAY'S RESULTS Singles Second round Guillermo Canas, Argentina, d Max Mirnyi, Belarus, 6-2, 6-2 Nicolas Lapentti, Ecuador, d Alejandro Hernandez, Mexico, 6-4, 6-1 Christophe Rochus, Belgium, d Johan Van Herck, Belgium, 6-4, 6-2 Dirk Dier, Germany leads Richey Reneberg 6-4, 2-1 Doubles First round Pat Rafter and Paul Kilderry, Australia, d Guillermo Canas and Diego Del Rio, Argentina 3-6, 7-6, 6-4 David Roditi, Mexico, and Paul Rosner, South Africa, d Irakli Labadze, Georgia and Christophe Rochus, Belgium, 6-7, 6-2, 6-3 Second round Lucas Arnold and Mariano Hood, Argentina d Lan Bale and Grant Stafford, South Africa 7-6, 6-3 TODAY'S SCHEDULE Centre Court, 11.00 a.m.

Tomas Behrend, Germany, v Stefan Koubek, Austria Karsten Brasch, Germany, v Hernan Gumy, Argentina Ricardo Schlachter and Paulo Taicher, Brazil v Doug Flach and Richey Reneberg, US 6.30 p.m.

Lucas Arnold, Argentina v Jared Palmer, US Nicolas Lapentti and Giovanni Lapentti, Ecuador, v Alejandro Hernandez, Mexico, and Cristiano Testa, Brazil Court seven, 1.00 p.m.

Ville Liukko, Finland, Nicolas Massu, Chile Guillermo Canas, Argentina, v Christophe Rochus, Belgium To be arranged Dirk Dier, Germany, v Richey Reneberg, US, to finish