Championships in Hong Kong, losing all four opening matches.

Pitted against seeded players from the `A' section of the draw the four-man team of Nick Kyme, Tommy Sherratt, Mel Caines and Chris Darrell each lost in straight sets, managing a cumulative total of six points as they got a taste of competition at the top level.

Caines, who had the distinction of playing on the all-glass centre court in front of a local television crew, proved the most successful of the group, taking three points off the talented 15-year-old Jackie Lee of Hong Kong.

Caines came on strong late in the match, after not offering much resistance early on, before eventually going down 9-0, 9-1, 9-2.

Meanwhile, Kyme and Sherratt, both facing adversaries from New Zealand, likewise paid the price for slow starts from which they never recovered.

The diminutive Kyme, the youngest player in the tournament, had the crowd on their feet following a deft drop shot in the third set for a point, but there was little else to cheer about.

Sherratt faced-off against highly-rated Chad Sunde and endured similar results although the pair did engage in several long rallies. Sherratt's problems appeared to be his inability to kill the ball and close out these points.

Pakistan's Zulfiqar Ali Khan made Darrell work hard throughout having the 18-year-old Bermudian on the run early and often. Darrell won his solitary point in the third set.

Despite the disparity in levels of play Bermuda coach Julian Rose was not unduly concerned or surprised with these first few results.

"Overall I'm pleased with the team's performance.'' said Rose. "Everyone played well against tough opposition.

"I think we'll see them gaining in confidence as they play more matches.

we're looking forward to the rest of the tournament.'' The team, which plays in the first consolation round today, have been training two hours a day since their arrival but have been able to sprinkle in quite a bit of sightseeing during their spare time.

MEL CAINES -- Tough initiation to the world stage.