Bermuda?s hopes for Davis Cup promotion must wait at least another year as the ailing Island team suffered their third successive defeat in the American Zone Group IV tournament in Costa Rica yesterday.

Following losses to Barbados (2-1) on Wednesday and the hosts (3-0) on Thursday, coach Steve Bean watched as his team went down 3-0 again yesterday to St.Lucia at the Cariari Country Club in San Antonio de Belen.

With Jenson Bascome suffering from the flu and Gavin Manders a knee injury, the team have been fighting an uphill battle.

Yesterday Bascome opted to play singles after telling the coach he felt slightly better but soon discovered he was far from fully fit as he slumped to a straight sets defeat against Kane Easter, 6-2, 6-2.

Number one James Collieson was then beaten by St.Lucia?s Vernon Lewis 6-4, 6-2 before Manders and Jevon Whitter went down 6-2, 6-1 to Easter and Alberton Richelieu jr in the doubles.

Having lost to Barbados 2-1 in their opening match on Wednesday, Bermuda endured a torrid time against Costa Rica on Wednesday when they were beaten 3-0.

After losing the first set 6-2 to Juan-Carlos Gonzalez, Collieson roared back to take the second 6-1 but then narrowly lost the third 6-4.

Earlier Manders had been beaten by Federico Chavarria 6-2, 6-3.

And in the doubles, Costa Rica completed the sweep with Ignasi Roca and Marcos Salazar combining to defeat Manders and Whitter 7-5, 7-5.

?The first two matches that we lost, it was so close,? said Bean from his hotel room last night. ?Against Barbados we split the singles and in the doubles had match point. And against Costa Rica, James lost 6-4 in the third. Once we lost that we gave the juniors some exposure in the doubles . . . but it?s been so close.

?It?s a bit disappointing . . . losing a crucial point here and there. In order to get promotion you need a little luck. It just hasn?t gone our way.?

Today Bermuda meet top ranked Guatemala.

?If Jenson?s any better, that?ll be a big help,? added Bean. ?At the moment, he?s very weak and has no energy.

?But Guatemala can be beaten.?

Only the top two teams from this week?s tournament are promoted to American Zone Group Three.

Bermuda complete their matches on Sunday against Eastern Caribbean.