Barbados’ Davis Cup team put up a valiant fight but ultimately fell short in their World Group I Playoff tie against Colombia, losing 3-2 on Saturday in Ibagué. The result means the Caribbean’s top Davis Cup team will now be relegated to Group II.

With the tie locked at 1-1 heading into the final day, Colombia struck first blood in the doubles rubber as Nicolás Barrientos and Cristian Rodríguez outplayed Barbados’ Darian King and Stephen Slocombe 7-6, 6-2 to take a 2-1 lead.

King, however, kept the Bajans’ hopes alive with a stunning performance in the fourth rubber, defeating world No. 214 Nicolás Mejía in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4. His victory set up a decisive final match between 19-year-old Kaipo Marshall and Colombia’s Adrià Soriano Barrera.

Marshall, competing in just his second Davis Cup tie, fought bravely but was outmatched by the more experienced world No. 345 Barrera, who closed out the tie for the South Americans with a 6-2, 6-2 win.

Despite Barbados’ spirited effort, their defeat means they will drop to Group II, where they will have to regroup and rebuild in their quest to climb back up the Davis Cup ranks