Tennis:Hungary has defeated Ireland in the Davis Cup Euro/Africa Zone Group II tie which was taking place in Szeged this weekend.
Ireland were trailing 2-1 going into today’s reverse singles after losing the doubles in four sets yesterday afternoon.
Irish number one Conor Niland was first up against Attila Balazs, a late change to the Hungarian team.
Balazs, who had played the doubles yesterday with Adam Kellner, won easily in straight sets 6-2 6-1 6-1.
The Irish team will now have to travel away in April (6th-8th) for a relegation play-off with Egypt.
In other tennis news, Ireland celebrated its first ever ITF Seniors World Team Championship on Saturday in San Diego as the Irish team of Lesley O’Halloran, Philippa Palmer, Niamh Kennedy and Grace Reidy won the Margaret Court Cup (women’s 45) over the number two seeds France.
France took the first rubber when Sylvie Mattel beat Palmer, but O’Halloran levelled the tie with a three-set win over Valerie Vernet Le Droff.
O’Halloran and Palmer, unbeaten in doubles all week, kept their streak going against Mattel and Vernet Le Droff to clinch the title for Ireland.