Davis Cup draw favours Irish

Prospects for Peter Wright's Ireland team brightened up considerably at yesterday's draw in Budapest ahead of the weekend's Davis Cup opening round clash with Hungary.

The new-found optimism in the Irish camp came with news of the late withdrawal of Cornel Bardocjky, the gifted Hungarian singles player. The reshuffle means that the home side's Norbet Mazany, the number four choice and in the 900s in the world rankings is forced to open their challenge against Ireland's number one Scott Barron.

Wright is happier now about chances than at any stage in the build up to this Euro Africa Zone tie against the number two seeds.

"I am more optimistic now with the team they have named. It certainly gives us more reason to be upbeat. I am pretty well convinced that if we can go out and play well we can win this tie," said Wright, who is taking time off from his day job as chief men's coach at the University of California at Berkeley.

The winners of the tie that starts this morning will have the choice of venue against either Monaco or Slovenia in the quarter-finals.

Harvard scholarship student John Doran, is named ahead of Owen Casey for the second singles spot. He faces a stiff task against the home side's number one Attila Savolt, ranked 116 in the world.

The clay court could be a huge obstacle for Doran who is currently trying to acquire a stronger serve volley game, something that is of little benefit on slow clay.

"John probably has the biggest adjustment to make but he has been adapting to clay quite well in practice. He will have his hands full however," Wright admitted.

"Scott Barron will lead us off and his match will set the tone for the entire tie. We will he depending hugely on a good performance from Scott. The opportunity for him is there and we hope to take advantage of that for a winning start," he added.

Owen Casey teams up with Tommy Hamilton in doubles. Casey's experience and Hamilton's established reputation as a doubles player on the US Collegiate circuit augurs well. "The doubles will be a critical part of the tie and Scott can go after their number one guy in the reverse singles on Sunday," Wright said.