Tennis:Conor Niland leaped up 57 places in the new ATP world rankings to a career-best 165th after winning the Israel Open in Ramat Hasharon on Sunday.
The 28-year-old from Limerick jumps above Louk Sorensen to become Irish number one following his 5-7 7-5 6-3 victory over Brazil’s Thiago Alves, a result that earned him a cheque for €11,000.
The Davis Cup player also picked up 100 ranking points and moves into the top 200 for the first time in his career.
Sunday’s victory continues a fine run of form for Niland, who was within a couple of points of qualifying in Doha and also at the Australian Open in Melbourne earlier this year. In recent weeks he reached the main draw of the US Men’s Claycourt Championships in Houston.