Bermuda are heading to the Davis Cup World Group II play-offs after losing 4-0 to Mexico at home on Sunday.

Ricky Mallory’s side will be among 13 teams unsuccessful in their World Group II ties to be drawn against nations promoted from the regional group three for matches to be played in February.

Heading into the final day trailing 2-0, Daniel Phillips and Trey Mallory carried Bermuda’s at WER Joell Stadium, when putting their unbeaten Davis Cup record on the line against Alan Magadán and Luis Álvarez in the doubles rubber.

The Mexicans put on a dominant display to win the match 6-2, 6-0 to secure a spot in the World Group I play-offs.

With the tie lost, Tariq Simons was thrown into the dead-rubber singles against Alan Rubio, which the Mexican won 6-0, 6-1.

“It’s hard for me to say that I’m disappointed because I know the level that Mexico brings,” the non-playing captain told The Royal Gazette.

“I feel that our players put up a valiant effort and the people that came to watch got to see them play at that level.

“They competed well, especially on the first day. The singles players were right there in the mix.

“It’s actually the first time Daniel and Trey have lost in Davis Cup doubles. I just think that the Mexicans are a well-trained doubles team.

“I think the one guy, that’s all he does, he’s a doubles specialist. Hats off to them, they played well and I wish them the best of luck.

“We have a draw coming up to see who Bermuda play in the World Group II play-offs. I hope that we get the support from the Bermuda community as far as it relates to funding, to support these guys training between now and February for our next play-off tie.”

Phillips conceded that while he and his playing partner exerted themselves in the doubles, the Mexicans ramped up the intensity.

“Trey and I gave our best,” Phillips said.

“We fought hard, we were out there together giving it our all and Mexico just turned up the heat. They played really well, they were making volleys when they did, returns when they had to and putting the serve away.

“We were still playing our game, but they would just find another way to make an extra ball or to make a passing shot, but we gave it everything, that’s what matters.”

Trey Mallory, who graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington last year, is eyeing more exposure to compete with the best players in the world.

“If we had as many matches under their belt, I think we could probably even win next time,” the 24-year-old said.

“I think it’s all about matches, playing probably ten times as many matches as us, so now we have to work on that.

“It’s definitely a bit of everything, because the more matches you play, that would fall into place, but if we play as many matches as them, I think the result will be a lot different.”

Simons, who made his Davis Cup debut as an 18-year-old against Jamaica in Costa Rica seven years ago, savoured playing in front of a home crowd for the first time.

“It was a beautiful experience,” the 25-year-old said.

“The coach did let me know that I might be playing a match on the last day. He told me the circumstance that if it was the case then I should be ready and anyway I’m always ready because it’s a team event that’s the nature of the thing.

“Within myself I knew that I am not as sharp as I’d like to be to compete for Bermuda at this level. But nonetheless, I was called upon so I went and I did it.

“I can’t say how proud I am to have played and represented with everything I had and to still have received the support that I got from the Bermuda crowd. Like I genuinely love this place so much, the land and the people and the whole situation.

“Despite the loss from myself and the team, I’m incentivised more than I’ve ever been probably since I was young to play and represent this island for a lot longer.”

Reflecting on his encounter with the 614th-ranked opponent, Simons, who had an improved second set where he had chances to win more games, felt that he did not exploit his opportunities.

“The match itself was tough in hot conditions,” he said.

“The crowd got me through a lot of moments, but I also felt the dynamic that I wanted to make people proud, because this is home.

“Even though I was good enough to get to certain points in the match where I was in a position to win a few games and get ahead in the second set, I didn’t capitalise on some crucial moments and it equated to a much different scoreline than the match may have reflected.

“I feel I did a few things well. Definitely still a bit of work to be done on the forehand wing. Some work to be done with my mind towards higher level tennis.

“There’s not a whole lot of time to think, so for doing things at this level, I can be a bit more effective. The work’s going to be put in to represent better for the tournament next month and the next Davis Cup event in a couple months to come.”

Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association president Michael Wolfe thanked the individuals and corporate partners who made Davis Cup’s return to the island possible.

“Having Davis Cup here was tremendous,” Wolfe said.

“I have to thank the Bermuda crowd, sponsors and personal donors. Everyone really stepped up to make this a success.

“I definitely want to thank our title sponsor HSBC Bermuda, our sporting sponsors the Department of Youth Sport and Recreation, Bermuda Tourism Authority, One Communications and John Barritt & Son Ltd.

“While we didn’t get the result that we wanted, the Bermuda team gave its all. We saw some high-quality tennis and it certainly is something to build on.”

“The biggest thing about this here was being an inspiration to the next generation of players.

“A lot of our ballpersons were just so happy to have been around this environment, seeing these guys play and the other big thing that we’re looking from this here is a boost in support.

“We always need support to make these things happen and it’s been a while since this level of tennis has been in Bermuda.

“We know we’ve excited a lot of people and we’re hoping that carries over to the next generation and the future of building tennis in Bermuda.”

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