Rafter responds to Sydney crowd

Todd Martin feels the heat against Rainer Shuttler

Australian superstar Pat Rafter kicked off the Olympic tennis competition in emphatic fashion with a resounding victory in the first round of the men's singles.

To the delight of the partisan Sydney crowd, the Wimbledon finalist overcame Vince Spadea of the USA 6-4 6-3.

In a Games already characterised by a series of high-profile clashes between Australians and Americans, Rafter triumphed for the host nation.

Rafter, urged on by chants of "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie" from the centre court crowd, dominated at the net with his typically acrobatic play and was always in command against Spadea.

The 13th seed now meets Canada's Daniel Nestor, conqueror of British hopeful Barry Cowan.

Martin mauled

There was more American misery in the men's singles, as veteran Todd Martin fell at the first hurdle.

Pat Rafter acknowledges his vocal support

The US Open semi-finalist, who had to be treated for a wrist injury during teh match, was beaten by Rainer Schuttler of Germany 6-2 6-0.

Schuttler now faces French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten, who had an even easier time of it, breezing past wildcard entrant Christophe Pognon of Benin 6-1 6-1.

The Brazilian second seed secured victory in just 38 minutes - the fastest win of his professional career.

"I've never won that fast as a professional," he said. "I can remember losing in a shorter time - but that was when I was playing under-10s.

"Sure. I had a good draw," he added, "but from now on things will be completely differently."

Battling Norman

Sweden's Magnus Norman came from a set down and produced an ace on match point against him before finally overcoming Romanian Andrei Pavel.

The number three seed won 6-7 (1/7), 6-3, 10-8 to set up a second round clash with Thailand's Paradorn Srichaphan.

"The confidence is not quite there," Norman confessed afterwards.

"But I did the thing I'm very good at, hanging in the match and fighting.

"I'm very happy with the way I turned the match around even though I didn't play my best tennis. That is always a good sign."