The third domestic ranking tennis tournament of the summer swings into action today with Andy Bray still on target for a rare Grand Slam.

Bray, a comfortable winner of the BLTA Open and the Island Construction Open, will again be favourite and number one seed as he looks to defend his Argus Open title at the WER Joell Stadium over the next 12 days.

And Ashley Brooks, who has also won the opening two tournaments, will be a clear favourite in what is expected to be another weak ladies? draw.

Bray, who will also be going for a third straight doubles victory with close friend Dave Jenkins, is also having his first crack at the mixed doubles for a while.

The accountant and Island number one has threatened for some time now to play with girlfriend Susie Mills, herself a former national junior champion, but has instead plumped for Sasha Fisher, with whom he won Island Games gold in Gibraltar last summer.

Bray is desperate to get out onto the court following a frustrating weekend of soccer watching in which his beloved England were dumped out of the World Cup by the Portuguese.

?I need some sporting success to cheer me up,? said Bray, who had optimistically made himself unavailable to play in the Argus on both the semi-final night and World Cup final day in which he hoped to be watching Owen Hargreaves and company in action.

?It?s been a rubbish weekend for me when it comes to the football so hopefully the tennis will cheer me up.?

Jovan Whitter, who recently competed in the disastrous Davis Cup campaign, will provide some extra competition for Bray in the continued absence of James Collieson through injury, which is keeping Bray from getting too comfortable about the domestic Grand Slam.

?Oh, there is no doubt all these guys can play,? said Bray, who responded ?hadn?t even entered my mind? when asked if he thought the Grand Slam was a possibility.

?I am just going to take it one game at a time and I?m not going to let myself get carried away just yet. I?m probably not in my best shape this summer but I am going to go out there and give it my best shot.?

The two week tournament starts today with the finals taking place a week on Saturday.