MEMPHIS (February 19) - Jonas Bjorkman picked up from where his fellow Swedes Thomas Johansson and Thomas Enqvist left off by defeating defending champion Mark Philippoussis in the first round of the Kroger St. Jude.

After Johansson won the Australian Open in January and Enqvist captured the Marseille crown last week, Bjorkman looked full of confidence against the two-time Memphis champion Philippoussis, winning 7-6(6), 7-6(1).

"It was one or two points here and there," said Bjorkman. "I've been serving just about as well as I've ever served, and I knew I had to make him play as many balls as I could."

After reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, Bjorkman helped Sweden defeat Great Britain in the Davis Cup, and is riding high on a new wave of Swedish confidence. "It has helped everybody," said Bjorkman. "Having played well in Australia, I thought I played well in the Davis Cup against Henman but didn't serve as well, and then Thomas [Enqvist] winning last week - it's been a huge boost for me."

Philippoussis, who missed nearly six months with a career-threatening knee injury in 2001, said: "It's definitely disappointing. I feel very comfortable here, I love the courts and the crowd really appreciate their tennis. But when he gets going on a roll, it really shows out there."

Bjorkman now goes on to meet either Christophe Rochus or Sargis Sargsian in the next round.