reputation, lost that air of expectancy in graphic fashion yesterday when second-seeded Bermudian, Donald Evans, unceremoniously brought him down to earth at Coral Beach and Tennis Club.

In men's open singles play Evans stopped Gorton 6-0, 6-0. The air around the tournament grounds was abuzz with anticipation over Gorton's ability as a large gallery watched, only to see Evans clinically brush aside his opponent's best offering.

Evans took less than an hour to complete the demolition and advance into the next round where he, too, will have to prove his worth when he goes against Greg Frigerio.

Though not having played locally in more than a year, Evans quickly got into the rhythm of the match, spraying the ball, with his opponent chasing, to all points of the court.

Evans now realises his work is just beginning. His opponent in today's action, Frigerio, waltzed into the semi-final round with a comfortable 6-0, 6-2 victory over Alec Anderson, never allowing the big serving right-hander to settle into his own flowing game.

Meanwhile, in the day's best men's singles encounter, Dean Mello battled for nearly two hours before defeating Michael Curry in straight sets 6-4, 6-4 and will face the winner of the quarter-final match between top-seed Michael and Wilfred Gonsalves.

Mello's successful day continued when he teamed with Stuart Smith to defeat Courtland Boyle and Hugh Barit 6-1, 6-4.

While Mello was winning two matches, Kathy Stuhler, one of the ladies top seeds in doubles play, was losing two. The fourth seeded duo of Donna Bradshaw and Ann Jones stunned Stuhler and her top seeded partner, Gill Butterfield, coming from a set down to win 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 in ladies doubles.

Bradshaw then teamed with Eldon Daniels to beat Stuhler and Brian Way 6-3, 6-1 in mixed doubles play.