Bermuda tennis players have made an encouraging start to the CAC Games with their women's team winning all of their matches so far in Puerto Rico.

Caitlin Gordon was the first Islander on court and breezed past Larissa Williams from St. Vincent 6-0, 6-2 and will now play the number seed from Mexico.

Also winning her singles match was Jacklyn Lambert who beat Alyssa Fuentes of Barbados, 6-4, 6-4.

In the ladies' doubles Gordon and Lambert then overcame Barbados duo Fuentes and Alex Ifill 6-4, 6-4.

Despite facing a number of no advantage tiebreak points the Bermuda women proved too strong for their regional opponents.

Team manager Ian Gordon said: "At the end of the first day the Bermuda ladies showed why they are one of the stronger tennis nations in the Caribbean region.

"The next round of action sees the remaining Bermuda players face mostly seeded opponents from Mexico and Venezuela.

"The first day saw the Central American nations dominate play with just a handful of Caribbean players taking victories."

In the men's singles Naim Azhar lost to Barbados' Marvib Rolle 4-6, 5-7, top Island player Gavin Manders beat Jason Tash, of St. Vincent 6-0, 6-3 and will now face the number two seed in the tournament, Daniel Garza, from Mexico.

In the men's doubles David Thomas and Neal Towlson lost to a pair from Barbados 0-6, 4-6, while Alejandro Bucaro and Kristin Weeden of Guatemala defeated Manders and Jacklyn Lambert. 6-2, 6-3.

n In track and field, heptathlete Shianne Smith faded badly in her event finishing eighth overall. The California State student had made a strong start, piling up an impressive 3003 points on Sunday to force herself into the medal reckoning.

She had the second quickest time in the 200 metres to leave her in sixth position with her best events, the long jump and 800 metres, to come.

But she failed to perform to her potential in the long jump and ended up in eighth place with her worst points score of the season.

Donna Watson, Chef de Mission, said: (Shianne) did not perform in the long jump as we expected. This was probably one of her worst jumps for the year.

"After that there was no getting back in contention and she ended up in eighth position. (We) do not know what contributed to this performance."

Long jumper Aranxa King, high jumper Latroya Darrell and 800 metres runner Aaron Evans were due to compete last night.

n Bermuda gymnasts Morgan Beckles and Rosie Finnigan have exceeded all expectations by both reaching tonight's finals.

Beckles finished 20th while Finnigan came in 24th position in the qualifiers on Monday night.

Both youngsters are competing at their first major event.