Bermuda's number one player is under no illusion as to the task that awaits him this morning when he steps onto the green clay courts (or Har-tru as they are termed) of Coral Beach and Tennis Club to begin his quest at the $125,000 XL Bermuda Open.

And while his first round qualifying opponent had not been revealed at press time last night, Michael Way knows that he will have to play the game of his life to stand a chance of advancing further. And even that might not be enough.

"It'll take a minor miracle,'' said Way, who has held the top local ranking the past three years. "The guys even in qualifying are among the top 250 in the world and it's a pretty tall order for me.

"Anything can happen. I'll play my best, but I don't have any great expectations.'' A year ago Way, drained by the effects of the 'flu, was swept off the court in straight sets -- 6-0, 6-0 -- by Herbert Wiltsching of Austria, the match lasting less than an hour.

Yesterday he assured he was in perfect health, good shape and while gale force winds and rain through much of the week diminished workouts he was raring to go, with the Open providing an ideal opportunity for him to get valuable match practice ahead of the Davis Cup, slated for later this month.

"Well I'm not sick this time, that's one good thing,'' said the 31-year-old.

"I'm in good shape. I'm trying to peak for the Davis Cup. I'm in a good frame of mind and ready to go. I'm just using it to see how I'm playing.'' One might think that with the Open this year having been scaled back to an ATP Challenger event from its former grading of a World Series tournament qualifying would be made easier.

However, the Bermudian figured it would be equally difficult, with many of those involved of a similar level as in previous years.

Way has failed to advance beyond qualifying three times, coming up short against another Austrian, Alex Antonitsch, in 1995, when he went down 6-1, 6-4, and also in 1993 as he was beaten 6-0, 6-3 by Tom Mercer of the United States.

Meanwhile, Bermuda's other entrant involved in qualifying, Donald Evans, proved as difficult to track down as a Pete Sampras forehand.

The Virginia based Evans was at home on Thursday evening and only hours after arriving on the Island yesterday busy on court fine tuning his game.

Still, if the message on his answering machine can be used as an accurate indication of his current form, Evans might just have a chance at gaining Bermuda's first win.

"I'm serving better that ever. And I'm hitting the inside out backhand like never before,'' sounded the recording at his Virginia home.

It's understood that Evans has been working on his game with the assistance of a personal trainer to positive effect in recent months.

Like Way, Evans was due to find out the name and time for his match last evening.

Evans is back for his second shot at singles qualifying -- he and Billy Way received a wild-card entry into the first round doubles back in 1993 -- having departed at the opening hurdle two years ago when Brazil's Roberto Jabali proved his nemesis, taking a 6-2, 6-2 decision.

A maximum of 32 players will be involved in qualifying with two singles rounds being held today (9.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m.) and one tomorrow (10.00 a.m.-3.00 p.m.). there will also be one or two rounds of doubles qualifying.

While many eyes will be riveted on qualifying action at Coral Beach this weekend, Bermuda gets an added treat in the form of famed Australian past great Roy Emerson, who will be conducting clinics at Elbow Beach Hotel today and tomorrow.

Emerson stands as the most prolific Grand Slam winner in the history of tennis, with no man coming close to his astonishing record of 28 championship crowns.

He is currently the director of tennis at Williams Island in North Miami Beach, Florida.

Emerson is also due to take part in a Legends competition in connection with the XL Bermuda Open along with the likes of fellow Aussies Fred Stolle and Ross Case as well as American Tom Gullickson.

MICHAEL WAY -- The Island's top tennis player admits he goes into this morning's first round qualifying match at the Bermuda Open with `no great expectations'.