Hernan Gumy became the first Argentinian to take the XL Bermuda Open crown with a compelling three-set victory over his compatriot Lucas Arnold at Coral Beach yesterday.

In a three-hour 10 minute epic on a sun-bathed centre court, the number five seed, who overcame a career-threatening injury late last year, fought back from 5-1 down in the first set to win an absorbing duel 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 6-2.

In the end it was a shame that either of the pair, playing each point as though their lives depended on it, had to lose.

But, as an emotional and exhausted Gumy lay down flat on his back part in celebration and part relief, his great friend and Davis Cup team-mate Arnold climbed over the net to help him to his feet and embrace him.

"This victory means a lot to me,'' said the delighted 26-year-old, a native of Buenos Aires, afterwards. "I had surgery on my groin four months ago and I didn't know whether I would be able to play again. I don't really have the words to express my feelings. Right now I'm just shocked.

"I think it was a great match,'' he added. "But it was also a very tough match. We know each other so well -- which is why we played every point like it was the last one.'' But he denied there was any great rivalry between the two.

"I'm happy for both of us that we're playing great tennis and that we had a great week this week,'' he said.

As if to emphasise the point, he revealed that he and Arnold, who came through the same junior programme in their home country, went for a spot of fishing with Alejandro Gattiker, the coach they share, on the eve of their final.

"We switch off from tennis and just enjoy the peace. And we're off again to do some more now,'' he said after spending 45 minutes showering and winding down in the men's locker room.

Arnold, who himself warmed down by going for a half-hour jog after the match, may not have won the $14,400 first prize, but will have won many admirers, not only for his tennis, but his gracious acceptance of defeat.

The 23-year-old, at 110 ranked just two places below his opponent, joked: "I'm happy for Hernan as he is a close friend of mine but I am not so glad for me. Last year I made the finals in the doubles, this year in the singles.

Next year I'm hoping to win something.'' Though both fundamentally baseliners suited to the green clay of Coral Beach, the styles of the two players provided an interesting contrast throughout the final, readily agreed to be the best in the event's six year history. Gumy, well-built and strong, but surprisingly speedy around the court, bases his game on power and a physical approach. Arnold has greater variety of stroke, choosing to throw the ball up high on forehand and back to disrupt his opponent's rhythm, and a complete inability to give a ball up as a lost cause.

Gumy survives marathon From Page 21 The sizeable crowd was given a taste of what was to come in the very first game which Gumy managed to hold after two deuces: it lasted ten minutes.

Arnold held and broke serve on Gumy's next service game but then had a battle to prevent his opponent, ranked in the top 40 before his injury, breaking straight back as the fourth game went to an amazing six deuces.

He won the next two games, during which Gumy, who had come through both his quarter-final and semi on Saturday, had to receive treatment for a stiff stomach.

Whatever the trainer rubbed on, it had an almost immediate effect as Gumy began to find greater depth and power on his shots, especially his old fashioned one-handed backhand, which he whipped down the line with alacrity, reeling off four games in a row.

But it looked as if he had undone all the good work when he allowed Arnold to break again and left him serving for the first set. Arnold was on the verge, having two set points at 40-15, but Gumy again refused to lie down and won the next four points to take it into the tie-break.

Arnold was broken on his first two service points, missing a regulation drop volley at the net for one of them and Gumy followed up with two deep forehand winners to go 5-0 ahead. There was no way back this time for Arnold as Gumy clinched the set in an hour and 25 minutes.

The second set went with serve until the seventh game when Arnold was broken.

But Arnold returned the compliment in the eighth to make it 4-4, held uneasily in the next for a 5-4 lead and took the set 6-4 when Gumy double faulted at 15-40.

With so little to separate the two players up to this point, it was almost inevitable that one should lose their way in the third set and Gumy raced into a 5-0 lead, twice breaking Arnold to love, his dismissive backhand now completely on song.

Arnold, however, wasn't finished and he hit back as Gumy served for the match and then held his own serve to make it 5-2.

Gumy took a 30-15 lead as he served for the match a second time but was then struck down with cramps and had to call for the trainer again. He recovered after treatment to go to match point at 40-30.

Arnold saved that and even took advantage himself but Gumy forced another deuce before having his second match point.

Arnold was forced into a desperate retrieval and tossed up a lob which initially looked too long but dipped to come down on the line.

Arnold won the next point to give him another chance of a break but Gumy forced the fourth deuce of the game before setting up his third match point and prompting a verbal outburst from Arnold who felt his compatriot, still suffering from cramp, was being given too long to ready himself. This time, though, Arnold had no answer and Gumy clinched the tie as both players were given a standing ovation.

Photos by Tony Cordeiro HELPING HAND -- Lucas Arnold gives his Argentine compatriot Hernan Gumy a helping hand at the end of their nail-biting three-set final in the Bermuda Open yesterday. Gumy (below) won 7-6, 4-6, 6-2.