XL Tennis Classic after grabbing a pair of round-robin matches with ease over Ricky Mallory and Monty Nearon.

Way defeated Mallory 6-4, 6-4 on Saturday and then quickly disposed of Nearon 6-3, 6-1 in a little over an hour at the Tennis Stadium yesterday.

The 32-year-old Bermudian -- who now makes his home in New York City -- will join Donald Evans as the only local talent definitely pencilled in for the ATP Challenger event from December 6-12.

The winner of today's showdown between Mallory and Nearon (5 p.m. at Coral Beach Club) may eventually win a spot in the XL Classic, too, but that will depend largely on how many overseas players are lured here.

Way brought his unquestionable skills and self-confidence into yesterday's match against Nearon, but was forced to scramble after Nearon started the first set ablaze by winning the first game.

Nearon, like a team that dares you to take them lightly -- he wants it, even craves it -- eventually took a surprising 3-2 lead in the first set before Way found his form...and serve.

"He had some great passing shots,'' said Way, shaking his head. "He put some kind of pressure on. I just had to buckle under and make him hit a lot of winners to be able to beat me. I sort of wore him down, I think.'' Way benefits from a steady regimen of tennis in the Eastern US, which regularly sees him pitted against top players from New England. He expects to participate in three more tournaments before the XL Classic.

"My serve came back a little better and I started moving a little better,'' said Way, entering yesterday's match slightly weary from his two-hour duel against Mallory the day before. "With Monty, I tried to take my time a little bit more because he tends to make more errors off the ground.'' Nearon did show flashes of brilliance.

But he was plagued by a cacophony of double-faults and maybe was not physically ready to stand up to Way's heavy pounding.

"Double-faults, double-faults,'' Nearon grumbled. "That was my biggest enemy today. Billy obviously has been playing. He's always a tough competitor.'' Nearon, wearing a baseball cap, complained that his game is not suited to the clay surface.

Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association official Allan Simmons said the clay court was used this weekend because it is what players will be playing on during the XL Classic.

Nearon was also troubled by serve and backhand problems. He noted that the secret to Way's victory was, "the way he was crowding the net all the time and cutting off the angles. So it was difficult trying to hit the winners all the time.'' Way's speed proved fortuitous and he appeared to take control after breaking Nearon after the first game of the second set.

"I felt like I had to play steady and solid to win, and it's nice to get a chance to play in the Bermuda ATP. It's a real honour. Donald (Evans) and I will be playing doubles together, so we're looking forward to that. We're a pretty formidable doubles team with our big serves, but the singles are going to be tough.'' Line umpire training for the XL Classic continues tomorrow and Thursday night at 6 p.m. at the Waterloo House.

BILLY WAY -- During yesterday's straight sets win over Monty Nearon.