TENNIS: A guaranteed feature of the Danone-sponsored Irish Open Indoor championships, starting at Riverview on December 27th, is that Cork-born 22-year-old Barry Fulcher is set to hog the limelight.
Fulcher, the top seed, has yet to play in an Irish tournament, mainly due to his parents' decision to move to England when he was still at school. Since then his professional career and ATP-points chasing have taken flight in earnest.
The ambitious Fulcher has a world ranking of 330 and rising. Significantly, he has applied to be considered for selection on future Ireland Davis Cup teams. With this in mind, the Corkman is anxious to impress the Ireland selectors during this tournament.
Holder Nick Malone is not seeded among the top four, with Stephen Nugent (two), Seán Cooper (three) and Conor Niland (four) recognised as Fulcher's main challengers.
Dubliner Yvonne Doyle returns to compete for yet another title and, not surprisingly, is seeded number one, followed by Elsa O'Riain, Karen Nugent and Claire Curran. Barring injury, Doyle's consistency and resolve should enable her to add to her laurels.
