Jacob Trott missed out on playing in the Davis Cup for Bermuda because of an unfortunate clash of dates with his father?s wedding ? but he made up for that disappointment by reaching his first major tennis final.

And although the 25-year-old Bermudian went down in straight sets to Island number one Andy Bray, he played his part in a richly entertaining contest for the Island Construction Open title on Saturday.

For Bray, as for the ladies singles winner Ashley Brooks, it was a second straight tournament victory this year following victory at the BLTA Open last month.

The English accountant never came close to losing a set throughout the tournament at Pomander Gate Tennis Club, in a draw deprived of the injured James Collieson, as well as the quartet of David Thomas, Romar Douglas, Jovan Whitter and Tony Thompson, who were playing for Bermuda in the Davis Cup in El Salvador.

Trott explained why he missed out on the trip. ?My father, Vaughn (Rocky) Trott was getting married on the Saturday the team was due to fly out, so I had to refuse,? Trott said.

?So when I heard they?d rescheduled and were leaving on Sunday instead, I was a bit upset because I could have gone after all.

?But this has been my best tournament result and I?m happy with the way I played. I had a couple of good three-set matches leading up to the final and I played better and better.

?Andy?s a powerful player, but I was comfortable with his pace and I was feeling good in the hot conditions.?

In a match punctuated by some thrilling rallies, Bray was always too strong for his younger opponent and triumphed 6-2, 6-2 in one hour, 14 minutes in the sticky morning heat.

?Jacob was playing out of his tree today,? Bray said after coming off court. ?I saw him beat (number two seed) David Jenkins in the semi-finals and he played well then, but he really stepped it up another couple of gears today.

?At the start of the second set, when Jacob was leading 2-1 and the conditions were heating up, I was a bit concerned. I?m quite used to the heat now and better at conserving energy, but I?m not as fit as I was last year.

?With some of the top guys missing, I would have been disappointed if I hadn?t won. It always feels good to win, especially in a good and well-organised tournament like this one.?

Things looked comfortable for Bray as he raced into a 5-1 lead in the space of 20 minutes, but it was then that Trott started to find his range.

The next five games were tight as Trott dealt well with Bray?s powerful groundstrokes and even struck some cracking forehand winners of his own. Trott held his first two service games of the second set to lead 2-1.

From that point however, Bray stepped up his own game, imposed himself at the net on occasion and reeled off five games in a row to seal victory.

Women?s champion Brooks, 17, who will take on top overseas juniors in the Bank of Bermuda ITF Junior Tournament at the WER Joell Tennis Stadium this week, played her final on Friday evening at Pomander Gate.

She overcame the challenge of number two seed Elizabeth Hartley 6-2, 6-3 to strengthen her grip on the Bermuda number one ranking.