BERMUDA'S number one men's player Andy Bray will again fly the island's flag this weekend in the qualifying of the XL Bermuda Open at Coral Beach.

This will be the fourth time Bray has been involved with XL Open qualifying and he admits it is one of the highlights of the year for him as he must pit himself against much tougher opposition than he is normally used to.

"These guys are not going to give it away ¿ they are playing for their livelihood," he said this week. "It is tough going against them but it is great at the same time. They really test you."

Last year Bray was knocked out by American Justin Natale 6-4, 6-2.

But Bray is hoping for a performance similar to what he had in 2006 when he beat the unranked and unknown Wkwesi Williams of Barbados in straight sets to set up a clash with former French Open quarter-finalist Michael Russell.

After Bray thrashed Bajan newcomer Williams he was halted one victory short of the main draw by the diminutive American Russell.

Last year even though he lost in the qualifying, Bray's playing involvement in the XL didn't end there as tournament director Alec Anderson gave him a wildcard into the first round of the doubles, where he played with the Israeli Dekel Valtzer.

Bray said this week: "I will not know who I will be playing until (the draw) on Friday night. One thing I know is that whoever I will be playing will be good ¿ they will be a player ranked from 150 to 1,000 in the world."

Bray has simply dominated against local opposition over the past few years and he said that playing in the XL Bermuda Open qualifying is a complete different experience.

"I don't get much of a chance to compete abroad except in the Island Games which I have really enjoyed.

"Playing against these guys (at the XL Open) is completely different. It is not a shock really because I know what is coming ¿ but it can be difficult to do something about it! It is like any sport ¿ the professional level is a different game.

"It is frustrating in a way because by the end of the first set you realise you are in it and by the end of the second set you start to feel the ball a bit and get used to it ¿ and then it is all over although I did win two years ago. That can be frustrating . . . but a good frustrating. You are being tested all the time."

Asked what these pros bring compared to amateurs, Bray said: "It is not necessarily the pace ¿ although they do hit it harder. But that is not the real difference. The biggest difference is they make less mistakes. And while they are hitting it that little bit harder the difference is that they are hitting it deeper and going for the lines more. You just do not get any easy shots against them ¿ you are not going to get too many gimmes against these chaps. They are not going to give it away ¿ it is their livelihood."

The South Americans can be especially tough on the Coral Beach clay courts.

"This is what they grow up on. Their sliding is very good and they can hit all day. I just like to watch them practise ¿ they can stand there on court and bang it all day and not miss."

Bray ¿ an English accountant ¿ has competed for Bermuda at two Island Games and won gold and silver medals. "It is great representing Bermuda. The tennis at the Island Games is a good standard and we have done well the last two times ¿ but it is not a walk in the park. We have picked up a few golds but we had to play well to get those medals. It would be great if Bermuda could host the Island Games ¿ it would be awesome and we have the facilities for it."

At the last Island Games Bray and his doubles partner Jenson Bascome won the men's gold while Bray won the silver in the singles event.