straight sets victory over Ricky Mallory in the men's final of the Heineken Open on Saturday.

And he and two of the Island's top players are back at it this week in the Colonial Open, which began yesterday at Pomander Gate.

Way, who went on to complete a successful day with a win in the men's doubles with Stuart Smith -- over Mallory and Davis Cup captain Steve Bean -- said afterwards: "Last time we played he beat me so I just wanted to even the score.

"If he had won he would probably have been considered number one because he's already won a tournament this year.'' Way grabbed the first set on a tie-breaker and followed up to win 6-4 in the second as the two players, Davis Cup team-mates, met competitively for the first time in two years.

Way had taken a 5-3 lead in the first set before Mallory hit back to go in front 6-5. But the double faults that plagued Mallory in his semi-final against James Collieson re-surfaced and allowed Way to take the game into the tie-breaker.

There he established a lead which he didn't surrender, rounding the set off with a precise backhand down the line that drew enthusiastic applause from the watching crowd at the Tennis Stadium.

"I played pretty well and it was a good day,'' added Way.

Mallory is missing from the line-up of the Pomander Gate tournament.

But number one seed Way is well aware of the threat of 21-year-old James Collieson, who knocked him out at the semi-final stage last year, while rating his Heineken semi-final victim Gregg Frigerio as the other major threat.

Way reiterated Mallory's comments last week, saying he would like to see Collieson win a tournament but, like Mallory, said he would not be making it easy for the 21-year-old, who has struggled to win lengthy contests.

"I'd like to see him win one because he's lost so many close matches. He needs to win something to get his confidence up -- but hopefully not against me.'' Meanwhile in the ladies' final, Federation Cup player Liz Osborne triumphed 6-2, 7-5 over veteran Gill Butterfield, who had been suffering with a leg injury earlier in the week.