The South American exodus from the XL Capital Bermuda Open continued apace yesterday afternoon with the defeat of former world number eight player Nicolas Lapentti.

Following the demise of two-time Open champion Flavio Saretta of Brazil and Argentina's Juan-Pablo Guzman at the hands of European rivals in the second round, Lapentti was among a handful of Latinos left to carry the continental banner.

However, any thoughts he harboured of advancing to the last eight quickly evaporated amid a torrent of shots from feisty qualifier Tomas Cakl who surprised the Ecuadorian 6-3, 6-3.

One break in either set - on both occasions with the score at 2-2 - was enough for the Czech national to overwhelm Lapentti.

The result also meant that two qualifiers, Juan Pablo Brzezicki of Argentina being the other, have an opportunity to claim top honours this year.

Not at all daunted by his underdog status, Cakl was ecstatic with his progress into the quarter-finals, hailing it a major moment in his career.

This match was one of my best on clay. I played unbelievable for the whole match. I didn't make any mistakes and I played really fast. I mean Nicolas Lapentti is a great player and I beat him 6-3, 6-3. I think it's one of the best matches in my life," said the exuberant winner.

Noting that he was moving well from the start and was hitting the ball perfectly, the 23-year-old stressed that getting into his groove early was extremely important.

"I played well throughout. Sometimes on clay I play well in the first set and then badly in the second set but that wasn't so this time. It's a big victory for me.

"I know I can play with the great players even on the clay but it's to start winning. Lapentti was top ten in the world. He was so good and now that I have beaten him I think I can only get better."

Not short on confidence and sporting a pair of hoop earrings, Cakl predicted that should his strong form continue, he could be the last man standing come Sunday afternoon.

"If I continue to play like this in the tournament then I can beat everybody. I really think I can," he exclaimed smiling.

"There's $100,000 in prize money and I have the chance to gain some ranking points. I'll see what I can do," said Cakl who has been a professional for the past six years, winning some Futures and one Challenger event.

Meanwhile, last night's feature match and the last second-round fixture was called off due to persistent rain.

The 6.30 p.m. game - Tomas Zib against Scoville Jenkins - was on the verge of starting when the skies opened. Tournament organisers called off play at 8.30 p.m. as the showers got harder and it became clear no tennis would be possible. This forced an alteration to today's schedule with the Zib-Jenkins clash now taking place at 11 a.m.

Asked about his chances against Jenkins, the Czech Republic player said he knew nothing about his American opponent but was confident of success given how he has been playing this year.

"If I play my best I think I have a very good chance. I am a favourite here so hopefully I can win," said the Open's number two seed. "But I don't know how he is playing so I have to be a bit careful."

The 29-year-old expressed some disappointment about the weather, noting he had not played all day and now faces the potential of having three matches today.

Should he overcome Jenkins, he will be back on Centre Court in the evening's final quarter-final versus Thomas Enqvist. There is also the matter of a quarter-final doubles fixture which he and his compatriot and partner Michal Tabara are slated to play sometime today against American duo Rick Leach and Travis Parrott.

Organisers have that game listed as "to be arranged" on their match schedule and have indicated that it will depend on Zib's fortunes in the singles competition.

"I got here late on Sunday and played two tough matches (a singles and doubles) on Monday. I've had no chance to play since then but I could have three matches tomorrow. It's a weird schedule for me but I am a professional and I will try my best."

Jenkins, 18, took the setback in his stride, noting the matter was beyond his control.

Like Zib, he plans to concentrate on his own game as he has little knowledge of his higher-ranked opponent.

However, having rid himself of butterflies with a first-round victory, the Atlanta native assured he would be much less nervous in his second appearance on Centre Court.

Note: General admission tickets for last night will be honoured for today's day session only. Matches begin at 11 a.m.

The two-day exhibition segment of the XL Capital Bermuda Open starts today with four former top players.

In what's billed as a 'Sweden versus USA' clash, the Champions Challenge will see Swedes Mikael Pernfors and Mats Wilander battle each other in a best-of-three sets while Americans Jim Courier and Aaron Krickstein do likewise.

The latter take to Centre Court at Coral Beach Club first tonight at 7 p.m. followed by their Swedish counterparts. The winners of each match will meet in the final tomorrow at 7 p.m. and there will also be an abbreviated, third-place play-off.