When James Collieson clinched the first of four match points in a second set tie-break against Gregg Frigerio to secure his long-awaited first senior Bermuda tennis title at the weekend you might have expected an outpouring of emotion the like of which is rarely seen in these sober Islands.

But there was no collapse to the knees, Wimbledon-style, no rush to embrace proud relatives, not even the merest of clenched fists to mark his crowning as Colonial Open champion at Pomander Gate.

No, the over-riding feeling was one of contained relief; the 21-year-old had finally silenced those who suggested he didn't quite have the stomach for battle at crucial times, but he didn't feel the need to shout about it.

However, after seeing off Michael Way's semi-final conqueror with a 7-5, 7-6 victory he did admit how close to the edge another defeat would have pushed him.

"I was losing my mind, it was really getting to me,'' he said.

"The Island was getting to me. People were starting to aggravate me. So I think I would have gone a little crazy if I couldn't have pulled this one through.'' In the future, however, he may look back and consider that his emergence from this difficult period began on Thursday night when, a set and 4-2 down to Pomander Gate's new pro and doubles partner Dean Mello in their semi, he recovered to win.

And against Frigerio on Saturday, there seemed a more relaxed air to his game.

It kept him in touch despite his opponent's often impressive serving which brought him six aces in the first set.

And it was further indicated at the end of one extraordinary rally at 5-5 in the second which Frigerio won with a lob volley at full stretch: the Auburn University student led the applause.

That allowed some of the fine shots he is capable of to flow with greater regularity. With a tie-break imminent at 5-5 in the first set Collieson produced a forehand down the line to set up a third break point which he took with an effortless cross-court backhand on a short serve from Frigerio. He then served to love to take the set 7-5.

Frigerio's serve faltered in the second set and Collieson missed break points in the fifth and seventh games. When he slipped to 0-30 at 5-6 down the doubts might have resurfaced but he held on to force the tie-break and it was Frigerio, usually the personification of coolness on court, who missed the crucial shots.

So what made the difference? Mum's definitely the word.

"I'm usually my own worst enemy,'' he said afterwards. "I put too much pressure on myself. My mum doesn't come and watch me but she knows I get real frustrated so she just told me to relax. I did, but the problem is, if I try to keep my emotions in I usually get kind of lazy and too relaxed. Today, I was able to find a balance between keeping my cool and maintaining a high energy level.'' "I hope this is the start of something better,'' he added. "My shots have improved but my overall performance on the tennis court hasn't.

"I need to play more matches like today five days a week and that's not going to happen in Bermuda, so I need to get out of here and play.

"I want to look into going on the satellite tour. I don't mind taking a beating outside of Bermuda. You take a beating in Bermuda and you're not supposed to. If I go and play some French kid and he destroys me I'm only going to get better playing people like that.

"I'll do what it takes to get better. I just want to fulfill my potential.'' A potential that could take him on to the pro circuit full time? "That might be a little unrealistic,'' he said. "But as a tennis player I'm not playing for fun, I don't get huge enjoyment out of playing the game of tennis. I like competing.

"If I dissect all my shots -- maybe I could use a little bit of work on my serve and be more consistent -- but I've seen those guys in the XL and I think shot for shot I have the weapons. If I can play a lot in school over the next year and a half then maybe a year or two down the road I could try it out.'' Photos by David Skinner FINALLY A WINNER -- James Collieson produced relaxed but clinical tennis to claim his first senior tournament in Bermuda with a victory over Gregg Frigerio in the Colonial Open at Pomander Gate.