Doran likely to sit out singles

Whatever about Ireland's chances in the match itself, team captain Peter Wright is poised to make a spot of Davis Cup history at today's draw for tomorrow's opening day's play against Denmark in Skagen.

Wright is likely to exclude the name of our current top-ranked player, John Doran, from the hat for singles. It could be perceived as a luxury, but one that the nonplaying skipper may feel able to afford.

Doran has outscored national players Scott Barron and Owen Casey on the international front as a result of a harvest of ATP points in ITF Futures events both at home and, more recently, on the Canadian circuit.

But because the final year Harvard student has yet to beat either Barron or Casey suggests that Wright will go for the more experienced players in what is a hugely demanding task.

Barron, due to injury, and Casey, who opted out of the competitive circuits, have seen their ATP rankings plummet.

The Danish federation have laid two new hard courts at the Skagen club for the fixture. Two of the home side's best players, Kenneth Carlsen and teenager Kristian Pless, have proved in recent outings that they like to generate pace off the grass surface.

The next ATP listings should see Carlsen in at below the 100 mark following his win at Newport in the US last week. Pless was runner-up in this year's Junior Wimbledon.