Bermuda enjoyed a day of firsts at the Davis Cup Americas Zone group three tournament yesterday at Palmas Athletic Club, in Humacao, Puerto Rico, with a confidence-boosting 3-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago.

Coming on the heels of an opening 3-0 defeat by Puerto Rico on Monday, Bermuda’s first win at this level, which included a maiden Davis Cup singles win for David Thomas, kept Ricky Mallory’s charges in contention for promotion.

Gavin Manders, playing in the No 2 position, beat Vaughn Wilson 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, before Thomas, playing at No 1, got by Jovani Lewis in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2, to make certain of the win for Bermuda, Mallory’s first as non-playing captain. Jensen Bascome and Neal Towlson, then easily beat Wilson and Akiel Duke 6-1, 6-1 in the doubles.

“After the opening match against the host team, we came into today knowing what was required to keep our hopes alive,” said Thomas, who enjoyed his first singles victory in a Davis Cup tie. “Gavin went out and handled business and in order to keep things from becoming too interesting, the same was required of me.

“There’s always going to be some nerves involved. The main thing for me was to get off to a good start and maintain it to the end.”

Manders, too, was pleased to play a big part in Bermuda’s first win in Puerto Rico, although he needed a third set after his opponent won a close second set before Manders easily won the third.

“I’d like to start by congratulating Dave on his first Davis Cup singles victory,” Manders said. “He played really well today. It was a big day for us against Trinidad and we came out with the right mindset and got the job done.

“I wasn’t happy with a few lapses I had, but, overall, I fought hard and was able to close out the match. I would definitely like to thank the whole team and the contingent for their vocal support, which helped me to push through the hot conditions in some vital moments in the match.

“Moving forward, we will need the same type of effort from the players on court and the Bermuda contingent to ensure our success over the next few days.

Bermuda’s match today is against Costa Rica, who beat Trinidad 3-0 in their opening match.

“This will be another must-win situation for Bermuda, as the top two teams from the pool go forward to the play-offs,” Ricky Mallory, the Bermuda non-playing captain, said.

“Last night we had a team meeting, as we do every night after our matches, and I told the team they played well, but that when we play Trinidad it was all or nothing. They had to win today.

“I’m proud of the whole team; they came together today. I’d like to congratulate David on his first Davis Cup singles victory and Neal on his first Davis Cup doubles victory.”