Championships over the weekend when he downed fellow countryman Alex Altalef in the singles final at BAA Gymnasium.

The 17-year-old Altalef paid for commiting a litany of unforced errors in the opening game as the bigger, stronger Erichson enforced his power game, winning 15-4, 15-10.

The second game was closer, although Altalef again found himself in a hole early, down 10-4, before coming back to within one point at 11-10, only to have his opponent put together another spurt and seal the match.

"I didn't like the way I played the final,'' said a disappointed Altalef. "I did not concentrate well or play my own game.'' Understandably, Erichson was pleased to have won the title and in the process to have beaten Altalef for the fourth consecutive time.

He, and his compatriot, both expressed a strong desire to return to the Island in the future, if invited.

"I thought I played well and was keeping my shots in play,'' said Erichson.

"I was attacking when I needed to attack and was consistent all through the tournament and that's the main reason why I won the tournament.'' It was in fact a double triumph for Guatemala as Altalef and Erichson teamed up to defeat the local pair of Harold Minors and Randy Brangman 15-8, 15-3 in the final of the men's doubles.

The Bermudians showed fight early on, reeling off seven straight points in the first game after being down 9-1. But this would be their lone shining moment as their opponents increased the pressure and cruised in the second game.

Erichson was asked his opinion of the standard of the play in Bermuda and what he feels is the major difference between that on the Island compared to that in Guatemala.

"It pretty much is the coaching I think,'' said Erichson. "We've had quite a few years of international coaching in Guatemala, as well as having a lot of international competitions.

"So we've been able to watch the competitions outside that are at a higher level than in Guatemala and taste the training in other countries. Also we have had coaches that are good within the continent of America in Guatemala for three or four years and that is what has made our level high.'' Julie Durrant captured the women's singles title with a 10-11, 11-1, 11-4 triumph over Ailsa Campbell.

Campbell expended a lot of energy in keeping the first game close and she withered in the last two as top seed Durrant won going away.

But Campbell would not be denied as she and Harold Minors successfully defended their mixed doubles title with a 15-13, 15-1 over Junior and Julie Durrant. The champs won 27 of the last 29 points after trailing 12-3 in the first game.

Top seeds Sue Newell and Angela Zammit won the women's doubles 15-12, 15-3 over Claire Norbury and Shonette Wilson. And Zammitt made it a double by partnering husband Peter to clinch the veterans doubles over Colin and Christine Roach 15-7, 15-4.