Niland on song

There was never any real danger of Gina Niland's attempt at a record five-in-a-row titles at the Irish Close Tennis Championships going to ground at Donnybrook last evening. Ireland's number one player and top seed remains steadfastly at the controls in pursuit of a remarkable tally in the national event.

Susan Campbell's prospects of creating an early shock lasted for a couple of games in the first set after which Niland's consistency and confidence made the outcome inevitable. Campbell was good enough to keep some well-plotted rallies alive and duly earned a Niland's approval.

Niland, who moves to the British circuit at Frinton next week, is seeded to meet the adventurous Lesley O'Halloran in Saturday's final, a prospect that will no doubt remind the Irish number one of a final defeat at the hands of her Fed Cup colleague before her winning run began in 1995.

Anne Marie Hogan is Niland's quarter-final opponent and Hogan is capable of providing the odd surprise such as that which she contrived in last week's County Dublin Open semi-finals at Carrickmines.

The player most likely to ask the big questions of the top two is Yvonne Doyle, the number three seed, who has just completed a strenuous season on the US circuit. Unseeded Sonia Rodgers pushed Doyle into the 12th game of the first set, a notable achievement, but Doyle's greater experience finally paid off.

Men's Singles (first round) - R Cherry bt G Kilduff 6-3 6-4; C Jennings bt D O'Connell 6-4 3-6 6-4; D Wilson bt M Purcell 6-3 7-6 6-1; J Green bt C Dolan 6-1 6-2.

Women's Singles (first round) - G Niland bt S Campbell 6-2 6-0; A M Hogan bt E Moore 6-0 6-1; Y Doyle bt S Rodgers 7-5 6-1; S Doyle b t M Cashman 6-2 6-2; L O'Halloran bt E Fagan 6-1 6-2.

Men's Doubles (first round) - E and R Collins bt R and R Shanley 6-2 6-2; J Green and J Pringle bt J Devine and R Dunne 6-1 6-1; J Purcell and Jennings bt C Carroll and C Egan 61 6-3; O Casey and G McGill bt R Cherry and R Morris 6-1 6-7 7-5.