Bermuda's number one junior Gavin Manders was in devastating form once more at the Bank of Bermuda Foundation ITF World Ranking Junior Tournament at the W.E.R. Joell Tennis Stadium yesterday, trouncing Kirk De Silva of St.Vincent 6-1, 6-0.

The talented youngster, who begins a tennis scholarship at the Florida Gulf Coast University later this month, has yet to lose a set over the first three rounds and knocked out the number one seed Jerome Ward of Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday.

However, the ease with which Manders has progressed through the tournament so far has prompted whisperings in certain circles that the calibre of the international field is weaker than last year, when the junior circuit tournament made its debut on the Island.

But in responding to this concern, Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association President David Lambert warned sceptics not to make conclusions about a tournament which is only at the half-way stage.

“I think it's debatable whether the quality of competitor in the tournament this year is lower,” he argued.

“Obviously Gavin has had a pretty easy time of it so far, but who is to say that he might not come up against a tougher opponent in the latter rounds?

“Let us see how the rest of the tournament pans out before we start forming judgements. I personally have seen some very good tennis from both boys and girls and there is nothing there that makes me believe the standard is any lower.”

Lambert said Manders' game has shot up a number of levels since his first round defeat in the same tournament last year.

Suspicions that the 18-year old is beginning to fulfil his considerable potential were also confirmed earlier this year when he defeated current Island number one Jenson Bascome in the final of the Island Construction Open.

“People must remember that Gavin has improved dramatically as a player of late,” Lambert said.

“He has a much stronger all round game and was always likely to do well this year. I am always reluctant to agree with people who play down the achievements of our best Bermudian players with the excuse that the competition is not good enough. People are always going to speculate of course, but this is a junior International Tennis Federation tournament and Gavin has done superbly well.”

However Manders himself did concede yesterday that he has been somewhat taken aback by the paucity of competitive matches so far.

“I have to admit that I came into the tournament expecting a much rougher time than I've got,” he said. “Given that I was at the top of the draw as well and had to play the number one seed in only the second round, I guess I am a bit surprised with how it has all panned out.

"But to be honest, I'm not complaining and all I want to do is concentrate on what I'm doing. The rest will take care of itself.”

Meanwhile, the third day's play went less well for Bermuda's Ashley Brooks.

The Island's biggest hope in the girls 18 and under division had scraped through 7-5 in the third set the night before against American Ashley Finnegan, but in her third round opponent, Jo Ann Van Aerde of Surinam, the youngster finally met her match.

Though she started strongly in the first set, breaking Vanaerdan's second service game, Brooks was soon struggling to cope with her opponents booming groundstrokes, particularly when struck to her backhand side.

Though she never stopped trying hard to regain the initiative, she simply could not compete with the powerful all-round game of the long-limbed Surinamese, eventually succumbing 6-2, 6-2 after a rain shower delayed play for 20 minutes.

Another exciting local prospect, David Thomas, also had a rough day at the office, going down in straight sets 6-1, 6-2 to Weston Wendt of USA.

The tournament continues today and runs until Saturday, with play expected to get underway at 10.30 a.m.