One down, two to go.

Bermuda's squash players saw off the challenge of the Dominican Republic yesterday and now face two more matches to decide their Pan American Games fate.

At the Pan American Championships in Quito, Ecuador, yesterday the Island trio of James Stout (pictured), Nick Kyme and Mel Caines stood tall in the absence of both Tommy Sherratt, who was rested, and Director of Squash Ross Triffitt, who has had to fly out.

Stout won his match 3-0 (9-1, 9-0, 9-2), Kyme then repeated the scoreline (9-1, 9-1, 9-0) and Caines dropped one game en route to a 3-1 triumph (1-9, 9-7, 9-4, 9-7).

Reflecting on the absence of their coach, Stout said: "It wasn't too bad today because the matches weren't terribly difficult but (today) it's just going to have to be us coaching each other."

Bermuda face Paraguay after they beat Jamaica in their match yesterday.

"It will be a tough match and I am not sure what to expect," said Stout. "But we will be going in there to give it everything."

The teams are vying for one of nine spots at next year's Games.