Michael Way figures to have an easy road on the way to another Island tennis crown -- although an old foe may have something to say about it.

The sudden withdrawal of arch nemesis Gregg Frigerio on Monday has seemingly left the top-seeded Way on the fast track to the title at the All Bermuda Tennis Club's championship, which began yesterday at the Tennis Stadium.

Frigerio, the second seed who defeated Way in their last meeting, was forced to pull out after injuring his back on Sunday. That moved all the other seeds up one place, including Donald Evans, who inherits Frigerio's spot.

Evans, who lives and works in Washington D.C., represented Bermuda in the Davis Cup and has long been considered one of the Island's top players. But injuries and other commitments have meant he hasn't put in an appearance here since last summer's Shell Challenge, when he suffered a wrist injury in a loss to Way.

"It's good to see another good player back in the draw,'' said Frigerio last night.

Frigerio said he stretched ligaments in his lower spine playing squash against his boss and would be laid up for most of the week.

"It's the type of thing I've done before and I know all I can do is just rest it,'' said a disappointed Frigerio.

He said he hadn't played seriously since beating Way in the Pomander Gate Open in May but would enter the Coral Beach Open in November. Way last played two weeks ago in winning the Grotto Bay Open.

"I'm in okay shape but I was hoping to use this tournament to get in tennis shape for later on,'' added Frigerio.

Behind Evans are Mike Curry, seeded third, James Collieson and Brian Way.

The two Ways also form a doubles team and for a change won't be seeded first.

They lost that honour to the Curry/Collieson pair, who won the last meeting at Grotto Bay.

In the ladies draw, Debra Darrell finally got her due and was seeded first ahead of Gill Butterfield and Kelly Holland. Donna Bradshaw, who had been seeded first in her previous three tournaments, and Kim Simmons, both opted not to play.

Darrell was overlooked for the Bermuda Federation Cup team's visit to the Dominican Republic in April and has taken out her frustration by winning the last three tournaments she's entered.

Butterfield and Wendy Frost are the top seeded doubles team.

Promising junior Jensen Bascombe is seeded number one in the men's B Division, followed by Gary Weller, Dwayne Saunders and David Furbert. The top ladies B seeds are Monique Ternier, Renee Heyliger and Shonette Wilson.

DONALD EVANS -- seeded second in this week's All Bermuda Tennis Club Open.