Gavin Manders took advantage of his last competitive match before heading to the Davis Cup as he defeated David Thomas in the Deloitte Open men’s singles final at Pomander Gate on Monday night.Manders locked horns with close friend Thomas, comfortably beating him 6-3, 6-4, after the latter had disposed of fellow Davis Cup teammate Jenson Bascome 6-3, 6-0 in his semi-final match. Thomas has been forced to withdraw from the Cup team for personal reasons.Manders saw off Toni Oloko 6-2, 6-3, to reach the final.Manders, who lifted the Deloitte title for the fifth time, said his confidence was sky high after months of rigorous training and rehabilitation following a road accident in which he lost part of a toe.“I was preparing for the Island Games and Davis Cup in Boston, and I went through the worst pain I've ever gone through trying to be ready to compete for Bermuda this summer,” he said. “My toe has caused many other problems through out my body, but at the end of the day, no pain, no gain.“I was willing to take the pain to make sure I could compete at a high level this summer, and my hard work and dedication is starting to pay off.“It was the first step yesterday, taking my first title back from the accident, and just like I said back when I had the accident, my entire year is dedicated to Craig (Bean) and David even though I ended up having to play him in the final.”Manders said Bean, who died in 2000, had been his idol growing up. Thomas was involved in a fatal road accident last year.Noting the day was bittersweet to play his friend, Manders said he was pleased with how they both performed and hoped the two can be reunited at the NatWest Island Games next month.The results from the Deloitte tournament saw Manders, Bascome, and Thomas all but cement their places in the Games squad.“It was a bittersweet day for me as I am so proud of my mate Dave and what he has accomplished. I look at him as a brother and winning the title means little to me compared to how proud I am of both of us for our comebacks from our accidents.“It was a great match, and I'm sure the crowd was entertained. I was able to pull it out 6-3 6-4, which is my fifth title at Pomander Gate in my career.“This one means a lot as I didn't expect to be here, and I was happy to see Dave on the other side playing so well.“It’s too bad he isn’t able to come as it is a comfort to have him in the battle ... but I'll settle for having him for the Island Games on home soil.“I want to thank everyone who has supported me through my accident, which has been extremely hard mentally and physically.“I look forward to representing Bermuda in Bolivia next week, and can't wait to compete in the Island Games in front of our home crowd.”Davis Cup action kicks off next week in Bolivia as Bermuda will come up against Americas Group Three rivals Bahamas, Costa Rica, Cuba, Honduras, Jamaica, Panama, Paraguay and hosts Bolivia during the round-robin tournament, which will see participants divided into two pools.The eventual top two countries in each pool will play the runners-up from the other pool with the two victorious teams gaining promotion to Americas Group Two for 2014.