Ireland have incentive

TENNIS:BACK IN Riverview for the first time in 10 years, Ireland's Davis Cup match, which starts today (4pm), could be the beginning of a journey that brings Britain's Andy Murray to Dublin in July.

If Ireland can put away Luxembourg over three days in the sold-out Europe/Africa Zone Group Two tie, the likelihood is Britain, with the world number five and his brother Jamie will be here the week after Wimbledon. First Britain, without Murray, must beat Tunisia in the Bolton Arena.

There is still a sense of will-he-or-won’t-he come about Murray. But the Scot has said he will be available in July, not least of all because the International Tennis Federation asks that the top players, if they wish to play in the Olympic Games, make themselves available for Davis Cup matches in the preceding year.

The London Olympics and the All England Club, where the tennis will be played, would not be complete without a fighting chance of a home-town medal and Murray is the only hope.

If Ireland were to beat Luxembourg, the 510-seat capacity David Lloyd centre, would also be increased to around 3,000 seats for Britain’s visit. But that juicy meeting is far from certain as Luxembourg arrive with the former junior US Open winner and World Junior number one Gilles Muller in the side.

Muller, who hopes to automatically qualify for Roland Garros and Wimbledon this year, is their big-serving number one.

While the newly-laid surface is slower than that in the traditional Davis Cup venue at Fitzwilliam and will take some sting out of the Muller delivery, Irish number one Conor Niland will face a stiff challenge, although not one he is unused to dealing with.

“I’ve seen Muller a fair bit,” said Niland. “I’m aware of how he plays. His serve is his main strength but he is also good off the baseline and he’s a good player indoors too.”

Niland has recovered from the flu that hampered his recent weeks on the circuit but his years playing Challenger and Grand Slam qualifiers have taught him to respect but not be daunted by higher ranked players. “Outside of Muller I don’t know a lot about the players but certainly Muller makes them a strong team,” said Irish team captain Gary Cahill. “We’ve had some good results. I have confidence in the players and Conor has had a very good season.”

Apart from Muller, the Luxembourg team is very young with two 18-year-old players including their number two Mike Vermeer.Niland is joined by James Magee, James Cluskey and Barry King. Colin O’Brien, who was in the squad, has a wrist injury and was advised not to take part, while Louk Sorensen is also recovering from injury.

SCHEDULE – Today (4pm): C Niland v M Vermeer; B King v G Muller; Saturday (3pm): B King and J Cluskey v L Bram and G Muller; Sunday (2pm): C Niland v G Muller; B King v M Vermeer.