Injury and illness has caused havoc with Bermuda?s Davis Cup campaign and then two wasted match points cost the Island an opening day victory.

Jenson Bascome was struck down with flu the night before the opening encounter with Barbados in the American Zone Group IV tie in Costa Rica leaving rookie Gavin Manders promoted to the number two spot.

But a recurring knee problem forced him out of the tie, leaving Jovan Whitter to step in and play second spot behind James Collieson.

The Island?s number one opened Bermuda?s account with a 6-1, 7-5 victory over Duane Williams, Collieson?s14th Davis Cup win and fourth straight singles victory over Bajan opposition.

But Whitter, despite a first set victory, succumbed to Russell Moseley 7-5, 3-6, 4-6 to leave the tie all-square going into the doubles in Bermuda?s first of five matches in five days at the Costa Rica Country Club.

Bascome paired up with Collieson, but despite the first choice pairing having two match points on serve in a second-set tie-break, they allowed the Barbadian pair of Moseley and Williams to come back into the game.

They finally lost 6-4, 6-7, 6-2 with Bascome struggling with the effects of his illness in the final game and completing the match with dizzy spells and fatigue.

?It is very frustrating,? said captain Steve Bean immediately after the game played on the fast surface of the high altitude resort.

?A mixture of not being at 100 percent strength and having the match in our hands is very disappointing. But even with the injuries and illness we suffered, we could have come out with something.

?Collieson looked pretty solid and came through his game with no problem and with Jenson?s flu, we had Gavin down to play number two. But he had to drop out because of a knee problem which left Jovan to step up.

?He was unlucky as he won in the first set and then went pretty much toe-to-toe in the third ? I think if Jenson had been playing we might have come away with the win.?

?And again in the doubles we really should have sealed it. Two have two match points on your serve is a strong position but they (Barbados) battled back and held on.

?It was a frustrating day.?

And Bermuda face a vital game today, taking on hosts Costa Rica, who were themselves defeated by St. Lucia yesterday.

?This is a game we must win,? added Bean.

?If we lose this then we are going to have to rely on someone else if we are going to get promoted. It is going to be a tough tie.?

Bean predicts Manders and Bascome will be fit for the encounter.

Bermuda then take on St. Lucia tomorrow followed by Guatemala and the Eastern Caribbean in Sunday?s final tie.