Niland falls short in Houston

Tennis: Ireland’s Conor Niland missed out on a second round match against former world number one Lleyton Hewitt last night when he was beaten in two sets by India’s Somdev Devvarman in the US Men's Claycourt Championships in Houston, Texas.

Niland was scheduled to meet former champion Mardy Fisher but the American withdrew with a back complaint and Devvarman was drafted in as a late replacement.

The Indian was, however, too strong for the Irish qualifier and won 6-4 6-2.

Niland, ranked 228th in the world, will now focus on the qualifiers for the French Open at Roland Garros.