CLAIRE CURRAN'S fourth successive win in the ITF Junior World Ranking series was in stark, contrast to the disappointment of John Doran's defeat in the finals at Riverview yesterday.
Doran could not have chosen a more inopportune time to sustain an ankle injury but his chances against Britain's Andrew McPherson were more seriously damaged by his own self destructive form which led in a 6-3, 7-5 defeat.
The Dubliner was far too tentative for his own good against a player not noted for aggression or adventure. Strapping on his ankle in the first set, had perceptibly eased his foot problem.
Doran's unforced errors were invitations to a patient opponent who scored winners largely at will to fashion the result.
Claire Curran considered her British opponent Kate Elliott as "an awkward player". Still, she out gunned the diminutive Hertfordshire lefthander after losing the opening set ominously 6-2.
Curran found her best answer to Elliott's well honed, if sometimes over ambitious, ground shots in the final set during which power of shot and clever placement bagged six games without reply.
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