Bermuda's men's tennis team were yesterday amazed to find workmen painting the surface of the court where they will start their Davis Cup campaign against hosts Cuba tomorrow.

The sight of four men rolling green paint over what will be the show court of this week's American Zone Group Three tournament was the most graphic example of a flurry of last-minute preparations.

No seating for spectators had yet been put into place around the centre court by yesterday afternoon, leaving organisers with a huge workload today to get ready for tomorrow morning's opening ceremony.

The tournament is being staged in the eastern suburbs of Havana, at the same vast, sporting complex which hosted the 1991 Pan-Am Games.

Bermuda's foursome of James Collieson, Ricky Mallory, Donald Evans and Jenson Bascome practised on other courts at the site and although the facilities appeared a little dilapidated, team captain Steve Bean was both diplomatic and not unduly concerned.

"They were still painting the centre court where we will probably play Cuba on Wednesday, so we will have to wait and see what the surface turns out like,'' said Bean.

"They still have two more days and they are experienced people who know what they are doing, but I would like us to have an opportunity to practise on that court before Wednesday.

"As far as getting the stadium ready goes, I looked over there and thought, boy, those guys have got a lot to do, but I'm sure that by Wednesday everything will be up and ready to go.'' Bean must hand in his team's rankings by tonight at 10 p.m. at the captains' meeting ahead of the eight-nation tournament.

Evans, on his return to the team after he missed the last two tounaments through work commitments, will play number one, Collieson number two, Mallory three and Bascome four.

"Between Ricky, Donald and James, we could go either way with the rankings, but for strategic purposes, we decided to make Donald one,'' said Bean, who explained the order of rankings, which cannot be altred once the tournament has started, dictated the order players would have to play.

"Donald's been looking very good in practice -- in fact it's the best I've ever seen him play. He's looking fit, hitting the ball well off the serve and his groundstrokes have got better, so he's feeling confident.

"We were thinking about conditions and that they may help Donald's serve-and-volley game. If the courts are slow, it's pretty tough for him, but he was saying they were playing pretty fast.'' Bean added that the courts had tended to produce a high bounce that could benefit the team's big top-spinners, Collieson and Mallory.

Bascome was the last member of the team to arrive after he helped his Temple University of Philadelphia team win an important collegiate match in Hilton Head, North Carolina, on Saturday.

He made an epic, 18-hour journey on Sunday, before finally arriving in Cuba at 1.00 a.m. yesterday morning. Bascome flew from Hilton Head to Charlotte, on to Miami and then to Jamaica, from where his flight to Havana was delayed by two hours.

"I slept the best I have for a week last night, but I'm still pretty tired,'' said Bascome after practice yesterday.

Cup hosts in race against time From Page 19 Mallory has provided the team's major injury worry, although the knee problem which was troubling him last week appears to have cleared up.

Collieson has been suffering from an over-use injury to the right heel this year, but he felt sure it would not bother him this week, even with Bermuda facing five matches in five days.

"It's not a major problem and I think that in the importance of the situation, I won't feel it,'' said Collieson.

The Island team will play Jamaica on Thursday and Bolivia on Friday, before playing off for final position on Saturday and Sunday.

Members of the Bermuda Lawn Association delegation have had great difficulty in telephoning home and would like to inform their families through The Royal Gazette that everyone is fine.