Gaining promotion from the Davis Cup Americas Zone Group III is well within Bermuda’s reach.

That is the assertion of Ricky Mallory, Bermuda’s non-playing captain and coach, who is confident the Island can achieve their mission in Puerto Rico this month.

Flying Bermuda’s flag this year will be the foursome of Gavin Manders, David Thomas, Jensen Bascome and Neal Towlson.

“This year I would love to see my players gain promotion into group II ... a feat that I believe and, more importantly, have my players believing is definitely possible,” Mallory said.

“I am relishing the fact that I have at my disposal the top four local players representing this Davis Cup. The last time that happened was when I was a player and Bermuda hosted the Davis Cup at the Southampton Princess. We actually won that year and gained promotion to group III.”

Mallory said that his players are peaking at the right time and are beginning to reap the rewards for all the hard training they have put into their preparation, which has included a personal trainer, Fajr Bashir, and a few sessions with renowned performance physiologist, Mark Kovacs, the director of the Gatorade Sport Science Institute and executive director of the International Tennis Performance Association.

Manders reclaimed the number one ranking in Bermuda last week after his victory over Davis Cup team-mate and former number one Thomas in the final of the William Way Memorial Tournament at the WER Joell Tennis Stadium.

Mallory said: “Those that watched the final witnessed a great match. The first set was definitely world class, with both David and Gavin going at it toe to toe.

“I was not surprised at the level of tennis because I know from training these guys what they are capable of.

“I was more impressed with their overall performance, which included their movement, speed and agility and their rate of recovery. They admitted to me that for the first time in years, their bodies were not sore or fatigued the following day after the match.

“This can be attributed to the amount of hours they have put in on the court getting prepared for this year’s Davis Cup. Having your body recover in time for your next match is a vital component in playing back to back matches each day in Davis Cup. The guys are pumped and ready to do battle.”

Thomas and Towlson are the latest additions to Bermuda’s team from the one that competed at last year’s Davis Cup Americas Zone Group III tournament in Bolivia.

Jack Keyes, Romar Douglas and Chris Weeks have been chosen as alternates.

Bermuda’s Davis Cup team departs for Palmas Del Mar, Humacao on May 31 to compete on the hard court at the Palmas Athletic Club.

Other countries competing are Bahamas, Costa Rica, Cuba, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Panama and Trinidad & Tobago.