Some of Bermuda's junior tennis players are capable of matching and beating their peers from around the world.

Though none of them have yet done so in the ongoing Bank of Bermuda ITF World-Ranking Junior Tournament, the outstanding performances of two male players and the grit and determination of some girls has been heartening to tennis authorities here.

President of Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA), David Lambert, says the Bermudians have shown they can "hold their own" but now need to maintain a certain consistency on every point to reap greater success.

"What's being observed is that our juniors have to play every point tough. Some of our juniors have been leading in matches and have eased up a little and their opponents have been right there. They (Bermudian juniors) have to get used to handling a certain pace all the time, on every shot.

"This is why we wanted this tournament here, to let them play against the best from around the world. It's a stepping stone. We can build on this.

"This gives us an opportunity to see what's happening with some of the best (juniors) from different parts of the world and what we need to do. It's showing us the quality of the juniors (from overseas) who are competing here," Lambert told The Royal Gazette amid rescheduling yesterday's rained-out matches in the week-long event.

Local boys, Gavin Manders and Romar Douglas, showed how close some young Bermudians are to their international peers with impressive performances that had spectators cheering at the Tennis Stadium on Monday.

Manders battled Richard Redding of England for two-and-a-half hours before succumbing to his rival 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the 18 and Under Boys' Singles as he complained of cramps.

"He was actually leading the third set 3-0 and then 4-2. It was very close," said Lambert.

Also competing in that division, Douglas spent three hours and 17 minutes on court against Englishman Alex Gillot, finally going down 6-0, 3-6, 7-6 (5).

"That third-set tiebreaker was a humdinger. Romar played a high level of tennis and it went back and forth. Even in the tiebreaker it was point-for-point," recalled Lambert.

Meanwhile, Morgan Lightbourne created some history when she became the first Bermudian to gain world-ranking points

Competing in the 18 and Under Girls' Singles, she defeated fellow Bermudian Paget Holland 6-1, 6-3 to advance to today's quarter-finals. She will clash with American Ashley Finnegan for a place among the final four.

Lightbourne received five world-ranking points on the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Junior Circuit and stands to gain more if she beats Finnegan.

Top local women's seed, Ashley Brooks, fell to the number one seed in the 18 & Under division, Christy Striplin. The American prevailed 6-1, 6-1 while Aruba's Stephania Velasquez beat another local player, Rachel Sawden, 6-1, 6-0.

Two other Bermudians - Melissa Holland and Jacklyn Lambert - lost to American Alexis Dorr (without winning a game) and Sarah Svoboda of France (6-0, 6-1) respectively.

"Ashley's match had some long games and there was a lot of strategy. It was tough. In Rachel's there were many tight points, a lot of explosive ground strokes and touch volleys," said Lambert, adding that some scorelines do not reflect the closeness of the matches.

Asked about the Bermudian players' reaction to this exposure, the tennis chief replied that many of them "want more" and have a renewed zest to train and improve their game.

"Some of them have come off court saying 'I shouldn't have lost that point. If I had won that point or that game the result could have been different'. Some have been upset but have then resolved to train harder. They are eager to play more and get more competition at this level.

"They realise that, with some more training, they can beat or match these foreign players. So all of the work we have done to bring this tournament here is worth it. It's already been successful in terms of showing our players what they can achieve and where they are."

He also expressed satisfaction with the crowds that have attended matches so far, saying it's been a great source of encouragement for the juniors.