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Determined Andy Bray served notice that he is still the island's number one, overpowering wily Jenson Bascome to claim the Bermuda Open title in three sets.

Bray found his range after a shaky first set to outgun his younger rival 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 and reassert his credentials as the king of the court.

Bascome - fresh from his Davis Cup exploits in El Salvador - clawed his way from 4-2 down in the first, relying on a mix of subtle drop shots and superb hustle to grind away at Bray's lead.

But the defending champion pulled himself back into the match, cutting out the unforced errors and playing with renewed focus and aggression to claim the second set 6-2.

Bascome continued to scramble for every point, chasing down balls he had no right to reach.

But as he tried to equal Bray's increasing aggression he found himself overmatched and ultimately outgunned by the Englishman. Bray, who has felt his unofficial crown as the king of Bermuda tennis slipping in the last 12 months, punched the air in triumph after completing the victory.

And he admitted that winning had lost none of its luster over the years.

"It never gets old really. This was the first tournament I won in Bermuda seven years ago, playing against Jenson. It doesn't matter how many times you win, it's always nice."

Bray, who overcame his Sri Lankan doubles partner Samitha Ranaweera in the quarters and rising star Neal Towlson in the semis, admitted it was getting tougher and tougher to win these titles.

"My legs are aching a lot more the day after. This was never going to be an easy game. Jenson is a very clever, tactical player and he had been playing a lot of tight matches in the Davis Cup.

"He moved the ball around well, dropping it short and if you're not in the right frame of mind you can lose it very quickly. I just managed to stick in there...

"I didn't do everything right in the first set but I got into it as I got used to playing in a tight match again."

On the horizon

Bray is happy to let others decide if he is still the island's number one.

And he admits there is plenty of up and coming talent.

Gavin Manders is expected to be back for the Pomander Gate tournament next month. Manders beat Bray a couple of times last season and is fresh off a record breaking winning streak in the Davis Cup.

Bray also believes 16-year-old Towlson has a big future in the game. The youngster was dismissed 6-0, 6-0 in the semi-finals by Bray, but took revenge alongside Bascome to defeat Bray and Ranaweera the doubles final.

"I won't be beating him like that for long," said Bray of his straight sets semi-final victory over Towlson. He is going to be a very good player. He hits the ball extremely hard, he's got a big serve and he's not afraid to go for his shots. He's got the genes for it too!"

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