Tennis: Barry King was unable to build on the point won by Conor Niland in the first singles match of Ireland's Davis Cup encounter with Tunisia at David Lloyd Riverview in Clonskeagh.
King, who was up against Tunisia’s number one Malek Jaziri in the Euro/Africa Zone Group II play-off, was soundly beaten in three sets.
It was always a big ask for a player ranked 1,013th in the world and the gulf in class was evident in the first two sets, as he lost both 6-1.
He rallied in the third and pushed Jaziri all the way but was eventually beaten 7-5.
Earlier, Niland bounced back from his first round defeat at Wimbledon to give Ireland the advantage with a three-set win over Tunisian number two Anis Ghorbel.
The Limerick man, ranked 171st in the world, won 6-4 6-2 6-1.
Ireland need a win over Tunisia to remain in Group II.
King and James McGee will play doubles against Tunisia tomorrow, before two more singles matches on Sunday.