South African Neville Godwin and George Bastl of Switzerland prevented a South American sweep at this year's XL Capital Bermuda Open when they earned a straight-sets victory in the doubles final yesterday.

The pair beat Brazilian Alexandre Simoni and Paraguay's Ramon Delgado 7-6 (10-8), 6-3 in an absorbing match-up that featured a see-saw tie-breaker, countless volleying rallies at net and a number of superbly-placed winning lobs.

The result thwarted 22-year-old Simoni's aspirations of joining compatriot Flavio Saretta in celebration as the latter had claimed the singles title earlier on Coral Beach Club's clay surface. However, he and Delgado were proud of their Centre Court performance and the fact that they made it to the final in their first doubles outing together.

“It's disappointing to lose the final but we had a really tough match. It could have gone either way, especially in the first set. Still we are happy to have been in the final,” said 25-year-old Delgado.

The match truly could have swung in either team's favour. The first set had to be determined by a tie-breaker after a 6-6 deadlock in games, with one break on both sides. The South Americans looked destined to close out the set, snatching a 5-3 lead with Simoni serving.

However, their opponents kept their nerve and won the next three points, including two fabulous shots by Godwin - a forehand return to Simoni's serve that flew past a motionless Delgado at net and into the vacant back court and then a forehand smash. The teams traded points for an 8-8 tie before the Bastl-Godwin combination produced two winners to secure the set.

The second set appeared to be headed along the same lines as the teams were 3-3 entering the seventh game. Despite a double fault and trouble on his first serve, Bastl held and he and Godwin then broke their opponents in the next game to go up 5-3.

Simoni and Delgado fought courageously in the ninth game, earning a break point and staving off two match points. However, the effervescent Godwin would not be denied and, on the third “advantage” opportunity on his service, he came up with a stinging serve which Simoni's backhand could only put into the net.

The victory was sweet redemption for the winners who punched the air and hugged each other. Both 27-year-olds had not fared as well in their respective singles bids. The former was beaten in the first round while Godwin was a losing quarter-finalist. Ironically, Godwin had ousted Delgado in the singles' first round.

“It's a great feeling to win this tournament. The field was very strong. Neville and I played very consistently throughout the whole week and I think we served up some good tennis for the fans,” said Bastl, cradling his Waterford crystal prize.

Godwin noted their championship bid was helped by the fact that they had been playing together since last October while many other players teamed up for the doubles after arriving in Bermuda. The win gave him and Bastl their third doubles title. The pair plan to try their luck at the year's remaining Grand Slam events.