Bermuda squandered their best shot at a victory in the Federation Cup when they lost 2-1 to Panama in Havana, Cuba, yesterday.

Having split the singles in the Americas Qualifying Group Two competition, Bermuda needed their doubles pair - Tara Lambert and Sasha Fisher - to come up trumps against Anais Moreno and Yimira Figueroa.

The Bermudians appeared to have the measure of their opponents, rushing to a 4-1 lead in the first set. However, the Panamanians fought their way back into contention and drew level at 6-6 in games, before taking the tie-break 8-6. The latter then went on to win the match in straight sets, 7-6, 6-3.

Fisher and Lambert would definitely rue this loss as they had also been up 6-4 in the tie-break, with two set-point opportunities.

"They really had their chances but they just couldn't convert them. It was tight in the crucial points," said captain/coach Kelly Holland last night.

Earlier, the Island's number two seed Danielle Paynter savoured Bermuda's first win at the International Tennis Centre when she beat Moreno 6-2, 6-2. But Paynter's compatriot, Zara DeSilva, seemed to suffer from the same misfortune as her doubles team-mates - being unable to translate winning situations into wins.

The 18-year-old top seed grabbed a 4-2 lead in the first set only to lose the next four games, and the set. Ultimately, Figueroa defeated the Bermudian 6-4, 6-4.

"It was a disappointing day. We had our chances. I think Zara's match was a tight one that probably she could have won but, like I said, converting at the right time is really important. Everybody saw where the opportunities were today and they realise they are making mistakes at the crunch time," said Holland.

She noted that, from this exposure, the Bermudians "will see that even though they feel they prepared for this tournament", they will have to work twice as hard towards next year's competition.

Asked if she would concede Bermuda was not up to their opponents' standard, she replied: "We are slightly outclassed in some areas, yes. I have said it before that they (Bermuda's squad) need to play another tournament before they come here (to the Federation Cup) - perhaps a tournament in Florida or on the East Coast - to get tournament-ready.

"The girls we are playing against play tennis 365 days a year and their training is more intense. The competition here is a very high standard."

Holland predicted that Bermuda's remaining fixtures - against Chile today and the Domincan Republic tomorrow - will be as testing as their previous matches.

"Chile have been splitting a lot of their singles, winning one and losing one and then the doubles deciding it. They are very tough. They are way up there. The next two days are very tough. We have our work cut out for us."