next week in an attempt to qualify for the Barcelona Olympics this summer.

Donald Evans along with brothers Michael and Billy Way are set to arrive in Paraguay on Tuesday and begin participating in the 1992 Olympic Pre-qualifying and Qualifying Event of which the top four finishers gain excess to the Olympic Games proper.

Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association president, Allan Simmons told the The Royal Gazette that a difficult task awaits the threesome on the red-clay surfaces south of the border.

"It's going to be tough. You have all the South American countries that have several top players trying for a spot.'' Indeed, Bermuda is bracketed in the American Zone containing North, Central and South America as well as all the Caribbean countries. And, with only four going through, each player will have to be at the peak of his game and fitness if he is to stand a chance.

Said Simmons: "The red clay surface is slow and makes for a lot of rallies and you really have to be fit.

"Even big serves are not as much of an advantage as on the harder surfaces.'' This does not necessarily bode well for Evans and Billy Way whose games are taylor-made for the faster surfaces. However, Simmons said that all three have been practising on the slower clay courts and are confident that they will do well.

All three players currently reside abroad but were chosen to represent the island on the basis of their performances at the Pan Am Games in Cuba last year which was used as the prerequisite by the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association. Evans qualified number one while Michael Way was second and older brother Billy took the third spot.

Evans and Michael Way are scheduled to play in the singles while Billy Way, who normally partners Michael, will instead team with Evans in the doubles.

Since graduating from George Washington University in Washington D.C. Evans has remained there working and playing regularly and is reported to be in top condition.

A tall, rangy individual, Evans plays a fast-paced serve and volley game, with a hard first serve and a kicking second serve. His strength lies in his net game where his size and volleying ability make it hard for opponents to pass him.

Michael Way, long a fixture on the Bermuda tennis scene, now lives in Atlanta where he competes in a local league against some of Georgia's top players.

Way makes up for what he lacks in size with a vast array of strokes and tremendous court awareness. In the mould of United States professional Michael Chang, he is a very gutsy, determined player capable of unbelievable returns and passing shots.

Brother Billy -- Evans' partner in the doubles -- is tough and physical and is constantly on the attack. Like Evans, he is a serve and volley type player with good size and strength. Way is always in great physical shape as he trains on a regular basis with a number of tour professionals in the New York area.

This marks the second time Bermuda has sent a group to the event, the last being in 1988 when former Bermuda number one, Steve Alger qualified for the Seoul Olympics after placing among the top four in Mexico.

Simmons noted the importance of Bermuda taking part in overseas events in order to maintain interest in the sport and give the younger players something to shoot for.

OLYMPIC HOPEFUL -- Donald Evans is aiming to earn a place in Barcelona with a good performance in Paraguay.