players.

"It's a bad draw, man,'' admitted Grotto Bay's director of tennis and teaching pro Ray Knight. "It's just one of those years. I'm disappointed myself.'' Seeds for the annual hard court tournament were released yesterday and from Bermuda's Davis Cup and Federation Cup team, only Michael Way and James Collieson are entered in the singles competition.

Moreover, Way, fighting to hang on to his number one men's ranking, won't have to go through Gregg Frigerio, a non-Bermudian residing on the Island.

Frigerio, ranked a close second, defeated Way in their last meeting.

In his place, Mike Curry takes over as second seed, followed by Collieson and Eldon Daniels.

Collieson, a promising Davis Cupper, is ranked only number 26 in the computer rankings largely because of limited tournament play this year but was bumped up to third "based on his form,'' Knight said.

The University of Tennessee student is also entered with Curry in men's doubles but not in singles. The pair, both currently off the Island, are the second seeds behind Way and his brother, Brian.

Kelly Holland is one half of the top-seeded ladies doubles team -- Wendy Frost is the other half -- but decided to skip singles. Holland was part of the Bermuda team that competed in the Federation Cup Zone championships. With only 12 women entered, Knight was forced to abandon traditional A and B draws in favour of one ladies draw with just two seeds: Diane Olchowik, ranked fourth on the Island, is number one, followed by Elizabeth Stewart.