Three of the island's top four men's tennis players are away representing Bermuda in the Davis Cup, but they have been given the chance to compete in the Argus Open, which started at the W.E.R Joell Tennis Stadium on Monday.

The men's A singles second, third and fourth seeds are respectively James Collieson, Jenson Bascome and Gavin Manders, all of whom are playing in the Davis Cup in Costa Rica. The Argus Open tournament committee decided to allow them to make a late entry into the two-week tournament.

The top seed is Island Games gold medallist Andy Bray, who will play the winner of tonight's match between Fraser Moore and Paul York.

Island Games singles silver medallist and Ladies A second seed Zarah DeSilva will face16-year-old Melissa Spurling. Also in that heavy half of the draw, Island Games mixed doubles gold medallist Sasha Fisher faces the ever fit and consistent Liz Osborne. Top seed Ashley Brooks awaits the outcome of Amanda Burns and Bev Bursnell.

In the men's B singles draw, which has attracted 35 players, Jonathan Kent defeated Brendan Daly 6-3, 7-5 in a match full of marathon rallies, some number around 20 shots. Devaune Ratteray outplayed veteran Leslie Stowe to win 6-1, 1-6, 6-3. Top seed Frank Tersigni takes on Darion Thomas and second seed Jan Jarmula faces visitor and talent unknown, Paddy Cosgrove.

Also in the men's B, 21-year-old Tulane University student Ben Dier had a marathon match against veteran Randy Bean. Dier, who has seen little tournament action since he played junior events, managed to win 4-6, 7-5, 6-1.

In the A singles he plays against Ben Lau, who defeated Nigel Daley in the B singles 1-6, 6-3, 6-3.