Ireland's Davis Cup team captain Peter Wright got a pleasant surprise on arrival at Donnybrook, via Wimbledon, last evening for the Carslberg-sponsored Irish Close Championships.
Wright's mission was to gauge players' form ahead of the tie with Monaco later this month but instead he was invited to take part as the number two seed due to a defection.
The head coach at the University of California was delighted with the opportunity but apprehensive about the circumstances.
Tommy Hamilton was forced out with tennis elbow, a legacy of last week's Co Dublin open, and must be doubtful for the Monaco tie. The previous winner of the close championship had been an integral part in Wright's doubles plans.
Defending women's champion Gina Niland had the easiest of tasks against Kathie Curran. Another Curran, Claire, is seeded to meet Niland in a repeat of last year's final.
Straight-sets wins were the order of the night, with Sinead Walsh impressive in her 6-1 6-2 win over Caitriona Hannigan. And another former winner, Lesley O'Halloran, careered to a 6-0 6-1 win over Patricia Darcy.
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