Gavin Manders has etched his name in Bermuda Davis Cup history after becoming the most successful local player at the prestigious tournament.

The 23-year-old was undefeated in his four singles matches and finished the Group IV contest 6-1 – an unprecedented overall record for a Bermuda player.

Bermuda's team returned to the Island yesterday basking in their glory after gaining promotion to Group III of the Americas Region following their El Salvador heroics.

Only Aruba managed to beat the Islanders who put to the sword Trinidad and Tobago, US Virgin Island and Panama to finish second in the group.

For Bermuda's number one Manders, the trip was simply the highlight of his career.

"To be the first person in Bermuda Davis Cup history to go undefeated in the singles, which also is a big part of the reason for us to be promoted, is the highlight of my tennis career," he said.

"It's something I will remember for the rest of my life.

"I can only give thanks to all the people who have helped me throughout my career, especially the Port Royal family."

The talented youngster inspired Bermuda to a crucial win over the US Virgin Islands last Friday which put his country firmly on the promotion path.

"The trip was amazing with Friday's game being the most important match for us," he said.

"I pulled out a three hour match 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 to hold us going into the doubles where Jenson Bacsome and myself finished it off.

"To be undefeated was an amazing feeling but nothing compares to how I felt when we won our last match against Panama to be promoted, which was one of the best feelings I have ever felt on the court.

"It was even more special as I had the coach who raised me on courtside throughout all of this."

Besides his titanic bout with USVI's Terrence Highfield, Manders had too much class for the other opponents he duelled with during his memorable week.

He began with a dismantling of Mitchell de Jong of Aruba 6-3, 6-1, and continued his charge with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Vaughn Wilson of Trinidad and Tobago.

Jose Gilbert Gomez of Panama was his last victim, succumbing 6-2, 6-4, to finish off his undefeated singles campaign.

With bigger fish now in Bermuda's Group III pool, including the likes of El Salvador, Bolivia, Cuba, Manders knows the higher level will be a major test.

"I can definitely say that Group III is another level.

"Their ball striking abilities are out of this world, there were four players in the top 1000 ATP and two that were in the top 500 ATP, so the level is high.

"I believe Bermuda has never one a match in Group III which shows how high the level really is, but even though we know the level we still have to be confident and go and put forward our best effort.

"Group IV found out this year that Bermuda has the biggest hearts coming in as the last seed and still being promoted, so we hope to have similar results but it will take a lot of work."

Manders now wants to re-write the history books again and become the first local player to win a Group III match – as well as defend his number one status.

"My main goals are to win all the tournaments that I play this summer and to compete at a high level in the Caribbean Games," he said.

"I'm focused and hope to raise my game a few more notches.

"Hopefully I can be playing at a high enough level to possibly be the first player to win a match in Group III for Bermuda.

"I'm sad that I will not be back for the Bermuda Open tournament but I will be back on May 18 for the rest of the season.

"I'm looking forward to defending my number one spot this summer."