JAMES Collieson produced his best performance yet overseas to reach the last four of a semi-professional tournament in Florida.

The Bermuda Davis Cup player won four matches at the Harbour Island Wildcard Tournament in Tampa before going down in the semi-finals.

Collieson was hoping to show off his skills to local tennis fans in the two-week Colonial Open at Pomander Gate, which starts on Sunday.

But that proved impractical, as he also wanted to enter another pro tournament in Toronto, starting on June 8, and so might have been struggling to return in time for the latter stages of the Colonial, which will conclude on June 15. The organisers were unwilling to work around his situation.

Collieson's trip to Florida started with a first-round exit at an event in Miami, but finished on a high the following week with his impressive run to the semi-finals in Tampa.

"It was a draw of 128 players and of those, about 100 were pros and there were also some good college players," said Collieson.

"Although it was not against the toughest competition, it was good to win four matches. It was just what I needed. Usually, I struggle a bit when it's hot and humid but I dealt with it a lot better this time.

"When you win a few times, you get fitness just by playing matches. When you win one and then lose, you have to do other things and find guys to hit with."

He said his most memorable match had been his first-round victory over the same player who had beaten him in his Futures tournament debut in Germany two years ago.

"I won 6-2, 6-3, but it was very close and I felt a little lucky to win," said Collieson. "He's the type of player who doesn't make many mistakes and I sometimes find it difficult against very consistent players.

"That was probably my best tournament match yet. It gave me a lot of confidence for my second match."

Collieson has four ATP ranking points under his belt, thanks to two appearances in the main draw of the XL Capital Bermuda Open over the past two years. That will help him get automatic entry to tournaments over the summer.

"In Toronto, it's only a draw of 64, but because I've got enough points I'll have no problem getting in," said Collieson.

"I'd like to go to Europe and keep plugging away this summer. The four points will help me to play a few tournaments and maybe then I can get a run going and get my confidence up a bit.

"I have done it for a year and the experience has been great. I'm not in awe any more. Alright, I've spent x amount of dollars, but now I'm starting to pick up a bit of money. If I can just get a few thousand dollars from playing, it will help a lot."

An added benefit of the ATP points is that he can use his singles ranking to get into doubles draws as well. So should he suffer an early exit in a singles qualifying, he would get a second bite at the cherry in the doubles, provided he could organise a partner.

"That's a good opportunity for me, because although it's not singles, at least I will still get a chance to be out there on court, in front of spectators, line judges and so on, in a professional tennis atmosphere."

Even without Collieson, the men's singles draw should be strong at the Colonial.

Last year's winner, Ben Ureta of Chile, who was here last year as the boyfriend of Bermuda Federation Cup player Zarah DeSilva, will be back to defend his title.

And Collieson's Davis Cup team-mate Jenson Bascome, whom Ureta overcame in a fine 2001 final, will compete again and will be looking for revenge.

Also in the mix will be John Johnston, who reached number one in the national men's singles rankings, released this week, following his run to the final of the Heineken Open earlier this month.

Donna Bradshaw maintained her number one spot in the women's singles rankings, still one place ahead of Deborah Cheng, who beat Bradshaw in the Heineken final.