Searing heat played a prominent role in the outcome of both the Argus Open Men's and Ladies' A Singles finals on Saturday.

Ironically, it resulted in the agony - literally - of defeat for one of the Island's leading female players, while helping in her boyfriend's success later in the afternoon.

First, there was the horrifying sight of Zarah DeSilva falling to the court at W.E.R. Joell Tennis Stadium and screaming in pain, "Somebody help me, help me!" as her legs were gripped by cramps.

At that point, her tussle with Ashley Brooks was tantalisingly poised 6-3, 4-5 with the latter looking to close out the second set and force a third. However, DeSilva's inability to continue proved the decisive factor, bringing the Ladies' showdown to a premature end.

DeSilva's Chilean boyfriend Ben Ureta restored the joy in their camp, rallying superbly from a set down to oust Andy Bray 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the Men's duel. Ureta displayed great class and produced some awesome ground strokes, steadily climbing his way back into contention after being blown away by Bray's opening burst.

As their match progressed, it was increasingly clear that, while the South American southpaw seemed to be flourishing under the oppressive sun, expatriate Bray was wilting by the minute.

Having his game, particularly his devastating serve, systematically dismantled from the opposite end of the centre court magnified the shifting momentum.

Initially, with Bray's shots sizzling past an out-of-sorts Ureta in the first set, it looked like an early shower for the players. The Englishman rushed to a 3-0 lead with a break in his favour and served to love in the seventh game to make it 5-2. He duly closed the set on his next serve.

The second set opened uneventfully. Despite the hint that Ureta was coming into his own, both men held until the sixth game. Suddenly, Ureta had a break point thanks to a ripping forehand down the line. On the next point, Bray swatted a forehand over the baseline to concede a 4-2 lead.

Seizing his chance, Ureta began dictating more rallies and even nullified Bray's dominance at net as he wrested the set 6-4.

Fighting two forces was more than Bray could cope with and, in the third set, it was Ureta who enjoyed a 3-0 advantage as his rival appeared a shadow of the person who won the first set.

Pumping his fists and willing himself on with cries of "Allez!" and "C'mon!", Ureta surged on, executing his shots with placement and power, leaving Bray hopelessly stranded on several occasions. A running, cross-court backhand, a top-spin ace and some deft drop shots were particularly memorable.

In the eighth and final game of the decisive set, he came from 40-0 down to "advantage". Fittingly, it was another forehand winner that eluded Bray's backhand effort to seal the outcome. DeSilva, now recovered from her trauma, delighted in the victory as Ureta flung his arms in the air.

"It was excellent, just excellent!" declared the 21-year-old winner. "I started a bit cold and slow. He was hitting that big forehand; some good shots. He played unbelievable tennis in the first three games.

"I was just telling myself to calm down that there's no way he's going to play all the match like that unless it's just one of those days. I started getting my rhythm and hitting my shots and playing a lot smarter.

"I just played my game. My serve was on and I was just moving my serve around and when I had a chance to go down the line I was going for it."

Saying "I like it actually", he agreed the way he handled the heat was important, especially as Bray was struggling.

The loser, who has played Division Two County tennis and at National Club League in England, was dejected but gracious in demise.

"There was an early break in the third set and that was it really. It was a long way to come back.

"I don't think he started off as well as he would have liked but then he got into it and was just hitting the ball a lot better at the end," noted the 26-year-old.

While saluting his opponent's effort the accountant acknowledged the weather's role in his loss.

"You don't get heat like this in London but that's no excuse. Ben played a lot better in third than I did and he deserved to win. It's disappointing but that's tennis."

Understandably, Brooks' feelings fluctuated between elation at retaining the Ladies' title and disappointment over how she did so.

"I am happy I won but there are two things that upset me: that I won because of her (DeSilva) retirement and that some people will be saying 'Can Ashley really beat her or would Zarah have won?'.

"It's a pity because I was up 5-4 in the second set and hoping to have one more set."

The 15-year-old was pleased with how she bounced back after a flurry of unforced errors in the first set and was confident she could have pushed DeSilva all the way.

DeSilva, too, noted it was a shame that such a great contest finished with her succumbing to cramps for the first time ever.

"I have never cramped in my life so I was really scared when it was going on. It was a frightening experience. Luckily I had people here who calmed me down. It's just unfortunate it happened in a final."

Thanking all who came to her assistance, as well as her family and the Pro Shop, the 19-year-old explained that her right quadricep began cramping at the start of the second set. She continued playing following on-court treatment. However, both legs soon had her writhing in pain.

"I wanted to continue but there was nothing I could do. I don't look at it as a negative thing. Ashley won and I give her all the credit in the world. That's just the way it goes sometimes."