Youngster Jenson Bascome turned in another heroic performance yesterday as Bermuda won their second straight match in the Davis Cup Americas Zone Group Four tournament in St. Vincent.

After beating the US Virgin Islands 2-1 on Monday, the Bermuda team repeated that score against the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) in another nailbiter, and again it was Bascome who made the difference.

Regarded as the team's number two player behind James Collieson, who continues to suffer under the sweltering Caribbean heat, Bascome maintained his unbeaten record, winning both singles and doubles as he had a day earlier.

But the real test for the Bermuda duo, who are being supported by team-mates Jovan Whitter and Ryan Swan, will come today when they take on St. Lucia in a do-or-die clash which will likely decide who gets promoted to Americas Zone Group Three.

Bolivia, who like Bermuda are undefeated so far, are considered the other promotion favourites.

Bascome got Bermuda off to a flying start against the OECS yesterday morning when he fought back to defeat Dexter Christian 2-6, 6-3, 6-3.

But Collieson, who had suffered painful cramps a day earlier, couldn't build on that win and faltered again, losing to Glynne James 3-6, 6-0, 6-1.

"He (Collieson) got through without the cramps but today he was just drained," said captain/coach Steve Bean. "You can see he won the first set and then lost the next two at love and one. I think the heat took its toll on him.

"Jenson was a bit lethargic as well. They were both just zapped as far as energy was concerned."

With the morning singles split, everything again came down to the evening doubles match, and under cooler temperatures Bascome and Collieson combined to produce some of their best tennis so far, whipping James and Heydon Ashton 7-6, 6-1.

Bean was thrilled with the victory and full of praise for both players, in particular Bascome.

"Jenson is representing himself, his team and his country extremely well," said the coach. "He's playing unbelievable tennis.

"The first set (in doubles) was very tight. They (OECS) came out of the blocks very quickly and went up 2-0 but our guys got their act together and came up with some great shots. You just wouldn't believe the number of shots that Jenson pulled out under the pressure.

"James is not 100 percent but he still came up with some big returns and served very well."

Bean said he was delighted with Bermuda's start to the tournament, given that he believed his top two players could play even better.

"We haven't played our best tennis," he insisted. "In all singles matches, Jenson included, we haven't played as well as we can. Jenson has managed to squeeze out two victories and James has lost both of his against players he should have beaten.

"But fortunately in doubles we've come up big."

As for today's clash against St. Lucia, Bean admitted it would be a tough match.

"They're going to be very tough," he said. "Whoever wins that one will probably go through because Bolivia are very strong. If we lose to St. Lucia we're going to have to beat Bolivia as only two teams go up."