a freshly-shaved head, but unlike Samson the popular Australian found the strength to pull out a stirring come-from-behind win at the Citrix Tennis Championships even without his trademark pony tail.

Bermuda-based Rafter, who took off his hair for charity, recovered from 0-3 down in the third set to beat 34-year-old Swede Magnus Gustafsson 5-7 6-3 7-5.

"What I like about Patrick is he always plays his best tennis no matter where he is,'' said Gustafsson. "A lot of the top players only give 70 percent sometimes. I think he can definitely win a couple of more Grand Slams.'' With gusting winds and unseasonably cold weather for South Florida wreaking havoc on Rafter's precise serve-and-volley attack, the top seed was thrilled to escape with a first round victory over the wily Swede, who had the Australian lunging at service return winners all night.

"I was lucky to get out of that match,'' Rafter said. "It was difficult to volley with the ball moving all over the place. If I didn't put away a volley he'd put the next one away.'' Gustafsson gave Rafter his opening when he double-faulted and added two unforced errors to give away an easy break at 2-4 of the third set. That got Rafter going and the two-time US Open champion produced a remarkable reflex volley in the ninth game that kept him in the match.

Rafter was serving at 0-15 when his "silly'' drop shot was retrieved and blasted right at his midsection. But Rafter's quick hands enabled him to put away a backhand volley and he went on to hold for 5-5.

In the next game, Gustafsson let a fan's ill-timed laugh unnerve him, eliciting a double fault to give Rafter a crucial break point. When the Swede sailed a forehand long, Rafter had the break he needed and served out the match.

"It was bad timing for the laugh,'' said Gustafsson. "It's something I have to learn. I'm 34, I should know by now. This is nothing compared to Davis Cup.'' Rafter earned a second round meeting with Czech Jiri Vanek, who ousted hometown favourite Andy Roddick 6-4 6-7 (4-7) 6-4.

The 18-year-old Roddick, last year's top-ranked junior, showed his inexperience with a terrible service game at 3-3 in the third set as he double-faulted and sprayed three unforced errors to hand Vanek the crucial break of the match.

"I would've been happier if I lost going for something. Instead, I lost like a boy and not like a professional tennis player,'' moaned Roddick, who lives in nearby Boca Raton and was playing in front of family and friends.

New look: His trademark ponytail shaven off for charity, Pat Rafter made a solid start to the Citrix Championships in Delray Beach with a win over Swede Magnus Gustafsson. -- AP