Federation Cup victory over Antigua and Barbuda in Costa Rica yesterday.

The teenagers held their nerve to clinch a 6-4, 6-2 doubles win to leave the Island with a chance of progression in the Americas Group II qualifying competition.

But to make the quarter-finals, the youngsters need to beat a strong Peru team today -- and they must do it without Zara DeSilva, ruled out with a wrist injury.

Lambert, 17, made her singles debut in place of DeSilva in yesterday's opening match, but came unstuck against Niki Williams and lost 6-3, 6-1.

But Paynter's spirited performance in the second rubber levelled the match at 1-1. Playing the Antigua number one Isoke Perry, she won 6-4, 6-4, after trailing 3-4 in each set.

The Island team need to finish second in their round-robin group of four to progress and only victory today will suffice after their opening-day 3-0 defeat against Jamaica.

Teenagers in doubles triumph were pysched up for the decisive doubles match.

"We were really pumped for that one,'' said Paynter. "It was a great feeling to win.'' Paynter, playing in her third Federation Cup, said this all-teenaged foursome compared favourably to the two past Bermuda teams.

"This team is younger and has more energy and I'd say more commitment to tennis. We are playing against players who are more experienced in tournament play, but our team has a lot of potential.'' Paynter said she had needed to dig deep to come through and win her singles match: "I personally did not feel my game was at its best, but I stuck with it mentally -- it's important not to get down.'' Peru, who are bidding for promotion back to Americas Group I after being relegated last year, would be tough opponents, added Bermuda's number one.

"They are experienced players and I watched them in training and they were just pounding the ball so hard. But if we can be consistent and get the ball back, it won't be as easy as they think it will be.'' DeSilva, 14, hurt her wrist last week at school and was playing through a lot of pain during her first-day, 1-6, 1-6 singles defeat against Jamaica's Alex Chong.

Team captain Kelly Holland said: "A doctor had to readjust her wrist.

Something was out of place.'' Also against Jamaica, Paynter lost 3-6, 4-6 to Amira Samara and in the doubles, Lambert and 14-year-old Danielle Downey went down 2-6, 5-7 to Chong and Samara.

Holland was full of praise for the way her youngsters were handling the pressures of senior international tennis.

"They are coping very well and pumping each other up,'' said Holland.

"Peru will be tough, but the pressure is on them to go back up. It's not going to be as easy as they will expect, because my girls are going to really fight hard.''