The only visible flaw in Michael Way's one-sided 6-2, 6-2 victory over Jerome Bradshaw on Saturday was the tiny hole in the underarm on the right side of his shirt.

Way was dressed to kill, not to thrill, while Bradshaw's game came apart at the seams.

The top seed of the men's A singles, Way was able to find a number of holes in Bradshaw's game and took home the first major title of tennis season during a rain-plagued day at the All Bermuda Tennis Club's Open International Tournament on Saturday.

Organisers and fans were forced to take cover during two rain delays with a decision finally made to postpone the five remaining finals until yesterday.

Five titles were decided before the skies opened up again shortly after 4 p.m.

on Saturday -- only a few minutes after Way upstaged Bradshaw on Court Number One at the Tennis Stadium.

Top seed Donna Bradshaw won the women's A singles crown, overpowering rising star Jacqui White 6-2, 6-0 in slightly over an hour, while entertaining men's doubles partners Keith Beattie and Tony Readwin surprised fourth-seeded Mark Ward and Mark Cordeiro 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in a hard-fought battle.

Also on Saturday, top ranked Earl Leader sewed up the men's senior singles title with a decisive 6-1, 6-3 win over second seed Oliver Bain and senior women's titans (and top seeds) Wendy Gelhay and Sheila Gomez overcame a stubborn challenge from third-ranked Shelly Eve and Laverne Jones, 2-6, 7-5, 6-4.

The five other titles were determined yesterday (see page 22).

However, it was the singles matches which stole the spotlight on Saturday during a windswept and overcast afternoon watched by several dozen tennis enthusiasts.

The slimmed-down Way, who is back in Bermuda after working in the United States, showed excellent form with a beefed up attack and made few mistakes in overpowering the second-seeded Bradshaw.

Bradshaw got off to a 1-0 lead in the first set before Way won three games in a row. Even though Bradshaw took the fifth game, the tone of the match had been firmly established.

"I just tried to keep the ball in play,'' an exuberant Way said afterwards.

"He (Bradshaw) was making a lot of errors. He hit the ball hard when he came to the net, but he basically tried to keep the ball in play.

"It feels good. I didn't make many mistakes. I didn't go for it too much and just took what he gave me and played well.'' Way marched towards Saturday's final with victories over Readwin, Beattie and Garry Weller. Bradshaw, meanwhile, had earlier defeated Billy Way, Terry Smith and Andrew Kennedy, but appeared sluggish in the second set of the final.

Despite being involved in eight matches during the two-week tournament (he also played men's and mixed doubles) Bradshaw, who has been bothered by knee troubles in recent years, insisted he was not tired because of the extra play.

"Physically I didn't think I'd go this far,'' said Bradshaw. "But I think there's another year left in me, providing I don't play in three events (each tournament).

"But I don't think the extra matches in this tournament hurt me at all,'' he added. "In fact, I think they kept me tuned a bit.

"If I'd have been able to get in a bit closer after my serve I think I would have been okay (on Saturday). If I was able to keep some balls in play and put a bit more pressure on his return things would have been better.'' Bradshaw got plenty of attention from the crowd during the match, yelling loudly when he became frustrated with himself.

Down 2-0 in the second set he looked as if he might get back into it and was ahead in the third game 40-15 before he double faulted and eventually lost the game. There was another glimmer of hope when he won the fourth game after Way double faulted twice himself.

Way, however, went on to win three of the next four games.

"You always feel that there's a chance as long as the last point hasn't been played,'' said Bradshaw, visibly tired and sitting in a chair at court-side following the match. "He's (Way) been the first person all week, and in fact quite a while, that has been able to return my second serve consistently. He put me in a very defensive position. I think that was a key for the whole match. He didn't give away any free points at all.'' The Bradshaw family, on hand to offer quiet support to Jerome, earlier applauded when Donna had an easy time against White in the women's singles final.

Although having trouble with her leg, Bradshaw, dressed in a white t-shirt and skirt, got off to a commanding lead against her opponent by winning the first four games before White could get on the scoreboard.

White recovered slightly after Bradshaw won the sixth game and won the seventh game, but after that was unable to stop the powerful women's champion.

"I felt I was serving well and my backhand was erratic, but at least I got some returns on it and got a couple of rallies,'' said a cheerful White afterwards. "But my forehand was just non-existant today. It's pressure from Donna that makes you like that and you just have to fight the pressure that she puts on you. She plays very well.'' Bradshaw advanced to the final with victories over Margaret Leonard and Shelly Eve while White defeated Catherine Curran and friend Ailsa Campbell, who was in attendance on Saturday.

"Jacqui has a great game, but I think my power sort of intimidates her a bit and I try not to get swindled into that slow game,'' said Bradshaw. "You miss a few, but you gain more and keep her on edge. I've learned to play that slow game and also play my own game. And so I mix it up. I just keep them aware that I can do both.'' Added White, also an accomplished squash player: "I'm going to hit about a thousand tennis balls between now and (the next tournament). I just need to get out on the court and hit ball after ball after ball, that's all there is to it. Maybe I'll get a bit of help, advice. I think it's my squash that's causing the problems. In the backhands it's (squash) an advantage really. My forehand I have no rhythm, no consistency, I have nothing. So I've got to get that sorted out. Even with Donna's serve I should be able to chip it back.'' MICHAEL WAY -- Defeated Jerome Bradshaw.

Photos by Tamell Simons DONNA BRADSHAW -- Won women's singles championship with a straight sets victory over Jacqui White.