Steve Bean hailed his Davis Cup heroes after they summoned up every ounce of energy to take first blood on the first day of the Americas Zone Group Four tournament yesterday.

Bermuda's coach could only stand and applaud his first choice duo of James Collieson and Jenson Bascome after they overcame adversity to secure a 2-1 victory over the US Virgin Islands in sweltering St. Vincent.

Bascome won the first singles game against John Richards 6-4, 6-2 to set the team on their way. But a below par performance from Collieson, as much to do with the on-court temperature as anything, saw the him go down 6-2, 6-1 to Eugene Highfield.

However, Bermuda's number one repaid Bean's faith in him in the doubles when, after suffering excruciating cramp, he battled through the pain barrier to lead the team to a three set victory over Richards and Highfield, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.

"Oh man, that was phenomenal," said a clearly elated Bean.

"We went out (for the doubles) early so we could have a nice warm-up and he was fine. But as soon as we started to play he began to feel his legs tightening up.

"In the very first game he jumped to hit a smash and that was it. He went down on the court and was cramping up in his right calf and his hands."

The doctor came to Collieson's aid but never administered treatment.

"You only get one opportunity so we thought we had better wait since it was only the beginning of the match," Bean said.

Getting to his feet, Collieson summoned up all his courage and battled on.

"He wasn't able to run but he could hit the ball if it came right to him," said Bean. "He was alright serving and most of the returns he could deal with."

But as much as this was about Collieson's desire to see the match through, the result owed just as much to his partner.

"It was a really energetic and thoughtful effort from Jenson which kept us in the match," said the coach.

"He just did enough. He did what was expected of him and we ended up pulling the match out in three sets, three tough sets."

Though they played no actual part in the match, Bean said the presence of teammates Jovan Whitter and Ryan Swan had also spurred Collieson and Bascome on.

"Ryan and Jovan were rooting for us all the way," he said. "It was a team effort.

"It was amazing that we were able to pull it off. The other guys (USVI) were licking their lips. They thought they had it sewn up. James was in bad shape. Any shot out of his reach, he couldn't move for it."

The celebrations over, Bean had plenty to tax his mind as he went to his bed last night.

Bermuda face Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OEC) today, but the question is will Collieson?

"James is in a bad way, he's limping and his body is stiffening up," said Bean. "I will probably have to play Jenson as the number one seed, with one of the younger guys at two.

"If we split the singles then I might consider calling James in for the doubles.

"If we win both the singles then I will give him a complete day's rest."

It is a punishing schedule for Bean's men, with Bermuda facing St.Lucia tomorrow, Barbados on Friday and Bolivia on Saturday.

And the importance of yesterday's victory was not lost on the coach.

"That was huge victory today," he said. "Bolivia are looking like the toughest team here, on paper anyhow.

"St.Lucia are also very tough so if we had lost to USVI then that would have meant that we would have had to have beaten St.Lucia and hope someone else beat them as well.

"That win today was huge because we are supposed to get through St.Lucia, OECS and Barbados and then it would be between St.Lucia, us and Bolivia."