Michael Way so much that he lost his first match of 1994 -- Gregg Frigerio is hoping to play in at least two more tournaments in upcoming weeks.

If his his problem-plagued right shoulder holds up, Frigerio could be involved in the Sonesta Beach tournament from October 22 to 29 and perhaps the two invitational tournaments at Coral Beach next month.

Frigerio's stock has risen almost as quickly as European interest rates have -- something he watches closely each day at his job.

Playing in his third tournament since arriving in Bermuda in September, 1993, Frigerio defeated Way 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 at the weekend, handing Bermuda's No. 1 player his first tournament defeat of 1994.

"He's got a good serve, a real big serve,'' Way said of Frigerio. "I think he's probably got the best serve in Bermuda. We had a good match and I think the tennis was better than the match I had with Donald (Evans). But I probably wasn't as tough mentally as I should have been.'' Frigerio first gained notoriety in local tennis circles last fall and then early this year when twice he came within a whisker of beating Ricky Mallory at the Heineken and Pomander Gate tournaments.

The big-serving Frigerio, 26, took control of the Grotto Bay Open final during the second set on Saturday to finally grab his first title on Bermuda soil.

Winning was especially memorable because of the incredible streak that Way, his close friend and practice partner, has enjoyed this year. "I would rather have beaten Ricky and Michael,'' said Frigerio. "I'm sure when we start practicing and hitting again together we'll crack jokes on what went on. "We play in practice and I kept my same game plan basically. I just try to keep the pressure on net and I just did it more effectively than I had during our match in practice. Maybe that threw him off a little bit.'' Said Way: "That second set took some wind out of my sails. I really thought I was going to win.'' Frigerio, a former Division One college player at William and Mary in Virginia and seeded second in the tournament, had an easy road to the final. He beat John Johnston 6-0, 6-1 and then had to wait when Colie Place defaulted in his semi-final. Way, on the other hand, had to play a couple of tough matches against Martin Zolnai (7-5, 6-2) and Sam Maybury (4-6, 6-2, 6-1) before reaching the final.

Frigerio plans to play in the Coral Beach Invitational from November 12 to 20, but is unsure whether he'll play at Sonesta or the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Invitational from November 5 to 13.

Because of his tempermental arm and shoulder it's unlikely he'll play in all three events.

"I tore my rotator cuff my senior year by playing too much and serving too hard,'' he said.

"My serve is such a big part of my game, my shoulder just can't take it. I can only hit very good first serves for only a day or two.'' A victory over Mallory would certainly soothe any soreness. "Oh, yeah, you always want to avenge your losses.''