Despite playing some "tough tennis", Bermuda lost its opening fixture of the Americas Qualifying Group Two Federation Cup tournament to El Salvador 3-0 yesterday.

"We played some pretty good tennis in the doubles and in the No. 1 singles but we just couldn't come up with the points when it mattered.

"They were able to hang in there longer than we were. Some points are more valuable than others and we have to learn that," said captain/coach Kelly Holland, speaking from Havana, Cuba.

Playing in the No. 2 singles first, Danielle Paynter was beaten 6-1, 6-1 by Marcela Rodezno before Bermuda's top seed Zara DeSilva succumbed 6-2, 6-0, to Liz Cruz in the No. 1 singles match.

Tara Lambert and Sasha Fisher teamed up against Ana-Gloria Osorio and Miriam Cruz - Liz's twin sister - but they could not reverse Bermuda's fortunes, going down 6-2, 6-2, at the National Tennis Centre.

"Danielle was a little disappointed in her own game. She tried very hard but things weren't really working for her today and she couldn't come up with the points.

"Zara played some tough tennis. She was basically neck-and-neck with her opponent but the score doesn't reflect that. She also had a bit of trouble with her serve," said Holland, adding that the Bermudians gave a "pretty good effort" in the doubles.

There will be no let-up for Bermuda in the 12-nation tournament, being contested in two round-robin groups, as they confront top seeds Bolivia today. That country's No. 1 and No. 2 players are ranked No. 807 and No. 828 in the world as of May 6.

"They are a very strong team with some really good players. People may think being ranked in the 800s is way down but that's a sign of how good they are.

"It will be another set of tough matches," noted Holland.

Bermuda is scheduled to continue its campaign against Panama tomorrow.