Owen Casey's apathy towards his opponents' credentials contrasts sharply with his resolve on court. A typical example was given during and after the Dubliner's shock defeat of Frenchman Jean Michel Pequery in the first round of the Dunlop International Tennis Federation Futures series in Rathmines yesterday.
"I didn't know he was the number three seed," said wild card entry Casey after causing the biggest ripple of the opening round. Casey did not know the Frenchman's ATP ranking and said he "hadn't a clue" who his next opponent was.
Casey hit the ball with great conviction and accuracy, notably out of the back-hand court, to register a 6-3, 4-6, 6-0 win with a clean ace.
Casey's Davis Cup team-mates, Scott Barron and Sean Cooper also registered wins. Barron's 7-5, 6-3 victory over British entry Justin Layne, ranked over 100 places higher than the Irish player, set the stage for today's local derby against Casey.
Cooper used his heavy serve to suitable effect to oust the number five seed German Jan Boruszewski in the final set of their game.
First Round - G Elseneer (Bel) bt A Ram (Isr) 6-3 6-3. K Pless (Den) bt J C Scherrer (Sui) 6-3 6-2. W Whitehouse (SA) bt T Spinks (Brit) 6-4 62. S Iwabuchi (Jpn) bt P Clarke 7-5 3-6 6-3. J Kerr (Aus) bt O Freelove (Brit) 6-3 6-4. L Holland (Aus) bt S Dickson (Brit) 4-6 6-4 6-2. S Cooper bt J Boruszewski (Ger) 3-6 7-6 6-3. Y Allegro (Sui) bt F Fetterlein (Den) 6-3 6-3. S Barron bt J Layne (Brit) 7-5 6-3. O Casey bt J Michel Pequery (Fra) 6-3 4-6 60. G Doyle (Aus) bt H Koll (Nor) 6-4 6-1. A Kracman (Slo) bt D Mullins 7-6 (1) 6-4. J Ralph Brandt (Ger) bt R Nita (Rom) 6-3 6-2. L Milligan (Brit) bt S Nugent 6-3 4-6 6-2.
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