OWEN CASEY managed to overcome a major problem before he could compete in the doubles in week one of the Malaysian satellite event in Terengganu - he found a partner.

Casey had to find a partner who, like himself, would not be involved in the Masters' event because of next month's Davis Cup round.

The Masters' event takes place in week four of the satellite tournament, but Casey is due back in Dublin in a fortnight's time for Ireland's match against Belarus (May 2nd-4th). Fortunately for Casey, Ghanaian number one Frank Ofori also has to return to his home country for Davis Cup duty in two week's time

When the pair did team up, a first-round win over the Japanese pairing of Harada and Matsushita, 6-4 7-6, was good compensation for Casey's earlier defeat in singles by Miyachi Kotaro, the number six seed from Japan.

Today Casey and Ofori meet Britain's Mark Petchey and Charlie Singer.