January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Women see silver lining in Fed Cup loss
Women see silver lining in Fed Cup loss
The island's team comprised of sisters Tara Lambert (playing captain) and Jacklyn Lambert as well as rising star Caitlin Gordon. They placed eighth among the ten countries that competed in Americas Zone Group II.
Making its first appearance in this event since 2008, Bermuda went down 0-3 to eventual tournament winners Mexico in their first match but bounced back in their second courtesy of a 2-1 win over Panama.
That the islanders prevailed over their South American rivals owed much to U.S. based player Gordon who defeated Rosaline Chavez 6-2, 2-6, 6-0 - Bermuda's sole singles win in Ecuador - in a match that was delayed five hours due to rain.
"It rained from 10:30am to 2:30pm and we didn't get back on court to resume her match until 3:30pm. But she kept the intensity and played smart," commented team captain Lambert, who combined with sister Jacklyn to register the island's sole doubles win against Panama.
However, losses to Peru - who were promoted along with Mexico to Americas Group I - Guatemala and Trinidad and Tobago put an end to the island's own hopes of promotion to the top tier next year.
Still, captain Lambert reckons she and her teammates will have gained from being exposed to quality opposition as well as challenging court and weather conditions.
"It's always a learning experience and by the end of competition everybody was really feeling the match play. We are in there, but it's just a matter of continuing the exposure," she said.
"We were at a slight disadvantage playing on red clay. The hard true clay here plays differently to that so I just think it would be nice if we are playing in South America again to possibly get off the island and exposed to red clay earlier.
"It was really humid there and there were actually some players there that were dehydrated. But overall it was a great tournament. It was great tennis and great to get out there and watch the other teams play and see what they did to warm up and stay in the matches.
"It's always nice to finish as high as possible. We had a very tough side of the draw with Mexico and Peru on our half who actually had WTA players. The highest player that we played (against) was ranked as high as 364 and I had the pleasure of playing her. She was 16, six foot, left handed and full of energy. She had everything in her arsenal. She was just a better player that day."
Lambert, the Bermuda's top ranked female player, had nothing but praise for up and coming star Gordon.
"She played really well and got us the win against Panama. Jackie and I were really impressed with Caitlin, she was really consistent on the court and was able to match the girls with their pace. She played smart tennis," she said.
Lambert's sibling, Jacklyn, was generally satisfied with her own performances but admits there's still room for improvement - particularly making the transition from teaching the sport to playing competitively.
She said: "When you teach you give another ball and then when you play you have to put the ball away as soon as you get the chance. So to switch it up and just turn that switch back on is a little tough."
Bermuda first appeared in the Fed Cup in 1996 and currently boast an overall 11-46 record with a best showing of fifth place during the 2006 event.
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