Davis Cup match on Wednesday -- when they battle Puerto Rico at Santo Domingo Tennis Club today.

Puerto Rico, who played Eastern Caribbean yesterday, recorded a 2-1 triumph over Dominican Republic in America Zone III, Group A action on Wednesday.

Captain Allan Simmons and coach David Lambert put the Bermuda squad -- with a day off yesterday -- through a gruelling workout as the team came to grips with the humid conditions in the Dominican Republic. Later in the day the team scouted Puerto Rico's match against Eastern Caribbean in advance of today's showdown.

Billy Way, however, was confined to his room struggling with the 'flu although he plans to be back in the doubles line-up today.

Although they lost their opening tie to Eastern Caribbean, Donald Evans proved to be a bright spot for the locals, winning one set in his singles match against Vernon Lewis. Michael Way struggled against Gavaska Williams, losing in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2. In the US collegiate ranks, Williams has been ranked as high as fourth and two years ago won seven matches in the Davis Cup.

The doubles team of Steve Bean and Billy Way came achingly close to recording a triumph over John Maginly and Henri Sinson.

Billy Way praised Evans yesterday, as the tall righthander bounced back from a 6-3 loss in the first set to win the second 6-4 and showed tenacity despite losing the third set 6-4.

"Donald played a good match,'' said Way. "He played someone who was a bit like him, serve and volleyer. He lost the first set, was down a break point in the second and he came back and he won that. He was up 4-2 in the third and he played some good shots and it was real close right down to the end.'' Bean and Way twice held set point in the first set before losing a tense tie-breaker 8-6 and a close second set 6-4.

"It was very close, we had a lot of chances,'' said Billy Way. "Steve played very well. We were feeling pretty comfortable the whole way through...I think a couple more matches under our belts we might have put that one away.'' Jorge Gonzalez won the singles match for Puerto Rico against Dominican Republic when Rodrigo Vallejo was forced to retire in the third set. Gonzalez proved a double threat when he teamed up with Rafael Jordan to win the doubles match 6-4, 6-4 over Hiram Silfa and Genaro DeLeon. DeLeon was beaten in singles play by Jean Paul Vissepo 4-6, 6-1, 6-0.

Bermuda will play Costa Rica tomorrow and Dominican Republic on Sunday. The winner of the group advances to America Zone II in 1996.

"We were playing in the court next to Dominican Republic (Wednesday) and there were a couple of hundred screaming people going crazy, but it was good,'' said Billy Way.

Bermuda's matches on Sunday will be on centre court and will be televised live in Santo Domingo.

BILLY WAY -- struggling with the 'flu.