Matheson set to meet Casey

Ross Matheson (28), the number three seed, has encountered a broad spectrum of Irish tennis talent en route to the quarterfinals of the Carlsberg Men's Irish Open championships at Templeogue.

Last night he rebuffed the challenge of Eoin Collins (30). The previous night he was obliged to curb the ambitions of David O'Connell, a talented 17-year-old whom the Scot reckons has a bright future. "With a little more work on his serve, David could be an excellent player," said Matheson.

Collins, the former Davis Cup player confirmed that his international career is over after losing out to Matheson 7-6 6-3. He works in a Las Vegas bank and is satisfied with playing once or twice a week before work.

"My Davis Cup days are over. If I wasn't coming home to play here on vacation I wouldn't even bother playing in the mornings," he said.

Owen Casey again made short work of his task, this time against Britain's Rhys Hanger, seeded 14. Casey took less than a hour to take the match 6-2 6-1. Joe Green and James Pringle were ousted in straight sets by English opponents Tom Spinks and James Davidson. Casey meets Matheson in what promises to be the match of the championship this evening.

Gina Niland's bid also ended in straight sets at the hand of top seed Mareze Joubert from South Af0rica. Niland opened promisingly, taking a 3-0 lead but Joubert lived up to her reputation as a true grinder.

(Irish unless stated)

Men's Singles: Second round - V Snyman (SA) bt I Donkar (Gha) 6-3 7-5, P Scullard (Brit) bt M Tanjeford (Swe) 6-2 6-3, R Matheson (Brit) bt E Collins 7-6 6-2, K Rudman (RSA) bt F Ofori (Ghana) 1-6 6-3 7-5, O Casey bt R Hanger (Brit) 6-2 6-1, T Spinks (Brit) bt J Green 6-0 6-3, J Davidson (Brit) bt J Pringle 6-2 6-4, J Doran bt S Taylor 6-4 6-4.

Men's Doubles: Second round - J Foxon (Brit) and P Scullard bt N O'Flynn and P Tracey 6-0 6-1. A Turner (NZ) and K Rudman bt D O'Connell and C Niland 6-1 6-4.

Women's Singles: Second round - M Joubert (SA) bt G Niland 6-4 6-2, Gabai (ISL) bt Y Flynn 6-1 6-2, J Dawson (Brit) bt V Davies (Brit) 6-4 6-4, J Lutrova (Rus) bt L O'Halloran 6-0 6-3.

Women's Doubles: Second round - J Lutrova and V Davies bt Z Wolseley and E Bollard 6-0 6-0.