Bermuda gave their hopes of Davis Cup promotion a vital boost yesterday with a gutsy 2-1 win over Panama in Costa Rica.

Jenson Bascome rebounded from a disappointing first day, when he succumbed in both singles and doubles to Barbados, to lead the Island's charge.

Playing first in the No.2 singles slot, he dispatched Alberto Gonzalez 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 and returned in the evening to partner James Collieson in a crucial doubles victory 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 over Chad Valdez and Abad Goon.

In between these matches, Collieson went down 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 to Panama's captain, Valdez, which left the tie delicately poised 1-1 going into the doubles in the Americas Zone Group Four tournament.

"It was a closely contested match which left everybody's mouths open. It was some of the best doubles that have been played here so far," said Bermuda's coach and captain Steve Bean, describing the electric atmosphere during the do-or-die doubles clash.

"Jenson is a real team leader. I am so proud of him. He lost his singles and doubles yesterday (Monday) and he felt so bad and so miserable last night because he always likes to give his best and he didn't feel that he played his best.

"He told me last night in the team meeting 'Steve, tomorrow you're going to see a different player. I'm not losing anymore in this tournament'. And so said, he came out today looking like a totally different player.

"Then, for James to have lost in singles and come back and play the same guy in doubles and rise to the occasion was great. These guys played above their level. They had to play extremely well to beat Panama because they were a very good doubles team. I am so proud of our guys."

Though Bermuda's other two players - Ricky Mallory and Jovan Whitter - were on the sidelines, they too played an important role, noted Bean.

"They were right there cheering and chanting, really supporting Jenson and James the whole way."

Part of the reason for the much improved performance, said Bean, was that the Bermudians had finally adjusted to the conditions.

"It's been very windy. Nobody is happy with the weather conditions. We lost our first game to Barbados because we got here on the Saturday and we had little time to practise on the Sunday.

"We had all kinds of problems trying to adjust to the altitude and the wind on these courts and we went into our first match against Barbados still trying to adjust to the conditions.

"Now, after playing that match, today (yesterday) we looked like a different team. We beat one of the best teams here," he said, adding that it seems like the wind will be a factor throughout the tournament.

Yesterday's success has revitalised the Island's promotion aspirations and they will be aiming to further their quest today against the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) who have lost both their ties thus far. Bermuda are hoping to win all three matches today and earn some much-needed points; well aware that promotion could be determined by points differential.

"We are in a position where we are one-all (lost one tie, won the other) along with some other teams. The US Virgin Islands are the only team that's won both their ties so far.

"So after losing yesterday (Monday) and winning today (yesterday) our destiny is back in our own hands.

"They (the OECS) have lost both fixtures so far and I think our chances against them are pretty good, although I told the players we are not taking them lightly. We are going to prepare as usual and hopefully we can win 3-0. That's our aim. We need to put teams like them away."

Should Bermuda be 2-0 up after the singles, Bean may give 17-year-old Whitter his first outing in the doubles. Whitter has one Davis Cup match to his name, having played with Ryan Swan in a losing doubles cause last year.

"I have to get this youngster some Davis Cup experience and that would be an opportune time to do it," reasoned Bean.