Bermuda suffered a 2-1 loss to Curaçao yesterday in the 2014 Junior Davis Cup pre-qualifying tournament in the Dominican Republic.

The only consolation for Bermuda was Nick Lines winning his second singles match of the tournament, when he had a surprisingly easy win against Branden De Palm 6-1, 6-2. In short order Lines took a 5-0 lead before De Palm could settle as Lines won the first set comfortably.

Saying he felt a little tired from the tie against Jamaica, Lines kept the pressure on and was able to execute his shots to level the score at 1-1 for Bermuda in a little less than an hour after Tanner Boyle lost the opening singles match to Aydan Gómez Osorio 6-2, 6-2.

Boyle started strong with some good serving that yielded return errors from Gómez. The Curaçao player had a very useful serve of his own and managed to even things up by holding his own serve. Things turned around quickly with Boyle having trouble with his serves while not finding his range with a ground game that is built on hard flat drives.

Boyle became totally frustrated as he did not get the winning points, which resulted in a slow torture for him to the end. While his opponent remained calm and played steady tennis, Boyle went into self-destruct mode, which enabled Gómez to win the match comfortably.

Bermuda needed to win the match to go on to play Barbados in a play-off for ninth position. The doubles team of Lines and Boyle proved no match for Gómez and Dimitri Celestine as the young Dutchmen were very comfortable with the game of doubles and outmatched Bermuda on their win to a 6-2, 6-2 victory.

Bermuda’s final game today will be against Surinam, who lost to Barbados yesterday.

“A win for Bermuda would mean that we have equalled the effort of the 2013 team,” Jerome Bradshaw, the coach, said. “The players really wanted to do better, but it just hasn’t happened.

“This is a very beneficial event for countries to participate in as the format allows for continued play, win or lose, through the entire week. It tests the physical and mental abilities of all players. There are aspects to be learnt on and off the court.

“There is the need to eat correctly for sustained energy, the rest and recovery periods, the observation or scouting of opponents and the need to plan and practise based on a specific need. Players have an opportunity of an experience that is found only in this type of team event.”