Andy Bray and James Collieson are back in the XL Open qualifying draw this year ? and keen to avoid each other.

Regular training and doubles partners, the local number one and two were bizarrely, and anti-climatically, thrown together in last year?s draw, playing out a somewhat drab and flat 90-minute encounter in which Collieson triumphed.

Collieson then took on world number 255 Dusan Vemic, going down 6-3. 6-4 to the eccentric Serbian, and this year Bray wants his chance to take on a visiting pro in his second outing as a wild card.

?I have to say I am terribly excited about the opportunity to play in such a prestigious tournament,? said Bray, who followed on from his frustrating XL defeat to have a stellar 2005 in which he claimed three of the four domestic titles and two Island Games gold medals.

?On an Island of this size to have such a tournament is quite incredible and I am honoured to be taking part.

?To be honest, although I still enjoyed playing last year, it would be good to get someone other than a guy I play in training all the time.

?I would love to have a bash at one of the big boys. Some people might think ?a guy who is 200 in the world, so what? but for James and I, we know just how good these players are and it would be great to be involved against one of them.

?It could be a real highlight in my tennis career.?

Bray would also be keen to get involved in the doubles qualifiers again after taking a lot out of their encounter with Vemic and rising Canadian star Frank Dancevic in last year?s event.

For Collieson, who has had numerous appearances in the qualifiers under his belt and even a first round tie with Taylor Dent after a late withdrawal in 2002, he is just happy to be involved again and not fussed about who he draws.

?It is great to be in the XL again,? said Collieson, now a full-time coach.

?I don?t really mind who I get, even if it is Andy again, I just don?t want two games in a day like last year. I genuinely believe that, on our day, either Andy or I would have a chance of beating some of these guys.

?But we are going to have no chance if we have played just that morning. Last year I beat Andy and then off to Robin Hood for a burger and then back for my game against Vemic, so what chance was I going to have??

Collieson is also keen to play in the doubles, believing the ?chance of an upset is much higher in doubles and I reckon Andy and I could definitely beat some of these guys?.

The only concern for the perennial Bermuda Davis Cup player is a nagging groin injury he picked up attempting to qualify for January?s International Race Weekend KPMG Front Street Mile.

There is a chance the powerhouse player will need surgery but he is hoping his doctor will give him the all-clear to resume intensive training ahead of his XL date.

The tournament, featuring Mark Phillippoussis in the main draw, begins on April 17 and continues until April 23, with the expected two or even three rounds of qualifying on the previous weekend, April 15 and 16.

A strong field of tennis veterans will be showcasing their talents in the Bacardi Seniors Open which gets underway today at the Pomander Gate Club.

Many of those in the draw regularly hold their own with players much younger, among them last year?s men?s singles winner Earl Leader, the top seed, whose competition this time around will come from the likes of seasoned players such as Sammy Maybury, seeded two, and third seed David Lambert.

Others in the men?s field hoping to make their mark include Eldon Daniels, Wilf Gonsalves and Eugene Simmons, all capable of springing an upset.

In the men?s doubles field, Steve Bean and Maybury are the top seeds with their stiffest competition expected to come from Daniels and Lambert and the two Leaders, Earl and Erwin.

Lavern Stowe is top seed in the ladies? singles with Kim Burns ranked second and Rhonda Caza third.

In ladies? doubles, Stowe teams up with De De Cooper as the number one seeds with Zina Edwards and Gerri Swan ranked second.

Play continues through next week, concluding with the finals next Saturday.