their hopes of placing ninth at the tournament being hosted by Maya Country Club in El Salvador.

The win was an historic one, as it marked the first time that Bermuda had won more than a single tie in a Fed Cup event.

As has been the case all week, the Bermuda squad endured three intense outings, standing level at 1-1 after the two singles matches and needing to pull off a win in the doubles to ensure entry into the winners' bracket.

They got off to a solid start despite the fact that Zarah DeSilva lost 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 to Karla Hall. However, Danielle Paynter rectified matters in beating Panama's Yimera Figueroa 7-5, 6-4.

The pressure was again laid upon DeSilva and Paynter, as coach and team captain Kelly Holland called on the pair to team for the doubles contest and rested Tara Lambert and Danielle Downey.

And they did not disappoint. The duo, after being forced into a first set tie-breaker, cruised through in the second, eventually taking the rubber 7-6, 6-0.

Holland's mother Marge Way noted the win to be a spectacular result for the young team and women's tennis on the Island.

"I think it's just great for ladies' tennis,'' said Way, whose involvement in the sport as a player, administrator and supporter is well known. "There are going to be some surprised people.

"It's very good, the best we've ever done really, so it's really terrific.'' And Way noted there will be the possibility of many more triumphs to come considering the ages of the team members.

"These girls are still young enough to play for a while.'' The all-teenage team's first victory this week came when they beat Jamaica 2-1 on Wednesday.

The Island team is one of 16 competing in the America's Group II tournament.

Today sees Bermuda taking on Costa Rica to decide ninth and tenth.

Danielle Paynter: won in singles and doubles.