Bermuda failed in their bid to move up to Group Three in the Davis Cup Americas Zone but the Island's tennis won in many ways.

This assessment by coach/captain Steve Bean followed another impressive showing by number two player Jenson Bascome as well as a gutsy display from the teenage duo of Jovan Whitter and Ryan Swan on Saturday, the last day of competition in the tournament.

However, Bean warned Bermuda to step up its programmes and training if it expects to be as successful as other territories at this level.

"If we're going to expect our boys to move up to Group Three and beyond we have to find a way for our players to get more exposure and to play tennis more often," said Bean.

"That's what everybody else is doing. Talking to players from other teams, they are moving on to play in other tournaments. It's not a lack of ability. We have the ability. It's just the amount of exposure we're getting," he noted, adding that three of Bermuda's foursome were returning to studies - Bascome to complete his final semester at college in the United States while Swan and Whitter head back to Warwick Academy.

The coach had high praise for Bascome and top seed James Collieson who represented the Island in all the singles fixtures and all but one of the doubles. The two closed their campaign at the International Tennis Centre in St. Vincent by losing their rain-hampered doubles against Barbados which had started on Friday night.

Despite needing just two games (4-2 when they resumed) to win the decisive third set, the Bermudians - exhausted after splitting their final round of singles matches against top finishers Bolivia and knowing they therefore had no chance of promotion - fell to the Barbadians 7-5, 6-7, 5-7. They had won both singles against Barbados to claim the fixture 2-1.

Opposing Bolivia, it was again Bascome who stole the show with a brilliant 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 singles victory over Gonzalo Ulloa while Collieson lost to number 32 world junior Alberto Sottocorno. The 18-year-old beat the Bermudian 6-4, 4-6, 6-0.

"I felt really good like I could go the distance. We were on serve and then he broke me to win the first set. I decided to get more aggressive on my strokes, especially on second serve. In the second set I started attacking the net more and moving him from side to side. I think it was too much for him," said 22-year-old Bascome.

"I was able to use angle shots, drop shots and top-spin lobs. He was getting tired and I wore him down like that. It was probably my best match of the week."

Given that Bermuda had lost its shot at promotion, Bean decided to give 16-year-old newcomers Whitter and Swan a taste of international tennis by allowing them the honour of playing Bermuda's final match. Facing the same two Bolivians in the doubles, the Warwick Academy twosome eagerly grabbed a surprising 3-1 lead in the first set before succumbing 6-3, 6-3 to give Bolivia a 2-1 win overall.

"They gave a really good account of themselves. They were up in the first set and serving at 40-15. It was refreshing to watch these two. I was really proud," said Bean.

The schoolboys were themselves ecstatic, noting this debut had given them a lot of encouragement for the future.

"It was our first match and we were looking forward to it. We came out banging. We weren't nervous and when we went up 3-1 in the first set we were like `Oh man!'. The whole week has made us realise what level is required of us. It's an eye-opener and we know where we have to be for next year," said Swan.

His partner called the Davis Cup was "a wonderful experience" and he was very pleased with their performance. Whitter hoped that, once chosen again in 2003, he and Swan could offer the top players genuine support during competition.

"Jenson and James didn't have much support this week because they are so far ahead of us but, hopefully, next year they will and Bermuda will be able to move up (to Group Three)," said Whitter.

Stressing that Bermuda was "very close" to promotion, Bean rued his lack of options in changing the squad. Having to play daily in unfamiliarly hot and humid conditions was, in his opinion, the team's undoing.

"I really think there's an advantage to the guys who are down here playing in this weather all the time. We have a problem lasting in the heat. Our level of tennis is up there. James is as good as any of these guys but he can't handle the heat like they can. That's his biggest problem.

"I only wish I could have given our top players a break but with us constantly splitting the singles matches I always had to send James and Jenson back out for doubles. We fought hard all the way. Each player represented Bermuda in the spirit and with the discipline we like to see in our players."