Teenager Sasha Fisher will become what is believed to be the youngest tennis player to represent Bermuda at senior level when she makes her Federation Cup debut next month.

The 14-year-old got the nod over the weekend from Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association's National Select Committee and will join team-mates Zarah DeSilva, Tara Lambert and Shonette Wilson for the tournament in Anitgua.

But the team will have to do without Danielle Paynter, ruled out through academic commitments at York University in Canada.

Teachers at the university were on strike for several months and Paynter's rescheduled exams now clash with the Fed Cup event.

Chairman of selectors Terry Smith said Fisher had earned her place by her excellence in training with the Fed Cup squad under team captain Kelly Holland.

"First of all, we decided on Kelly's input that through all the squad training, Sasha came through as a strong contender,'' said Smith. "Kelly felt Sasha was ready to make the step up.

"And also we are trying to keep young players in the team, which is good as far as development is concerned.'' Fisher, who is off the Island, staked her claim for a place with a tremendous year 2000, peppered with extraordinary achievements.

In February last year, she won the Cromwell Manders junior title just after turning 13 and became the youngest player to win an 18-and-under tournament in Bermuda.

She won the ITF junior tournament in Trinidad in August and followed that with a run to the quarter-finals of the Caribbean Junior Championships. In the same event, she teamed up with sister Kara to win the doubles title.

And Fisher ended last season by winning the BLTA Grand Prix at the Southampton Princess, making her the youngest player to win a women's `A' singles title.

Smith conceded that the absence of Paynter would cost the team in the 16-nation tournament which starts on May 7.

"Danielle is one of the best Fed Cup players we have and and it is a bit of a blow to the team that she is not available,'' said Smith.

"But we are hoping that the other girls will step in and do well. Zarah DeSilva is a pretty good contender to lead the team.'' Bermuda teams have traditionally struggled in the Fed Cup and the two victories the all-teenage team of Paynter, DeSilva, Tara Lambert and Danielle Downey recorded last year in El Salvador represented the Island's best-ever result in the competition.

Lambert and DeSilva are both at school in the US, while the older Wilson gives the team a blend of youth and experience.

"Shonette's inclusion was based on her performances last year as well as the input of the coach,'' said Smith. "We think her maturity will help the team.''