A blistering start against Denmark by the Irish men's tennis team in the European Team championship in Marsa, Malta, yesterday has raised hopes for the remainder of the competition.
Admittedly, Denmark did not field their strongest team but the 30 win certainly augurs well for their chances of reaching Saturday's final.
Only Malta, recognised as the weakest team in the group, stand between Peter Wright's team and a final place against formidable opposition - either Belgium or Poland.
Playing in his first competitive match since the ITF's Futures in June, Scott Barron dealt easily with the challenge of Bob Borella, 6-1 6-2 in an hour. Barron's ground strokes were struck with confidence accuracy and power which put his opponent under pressure from the start.
Owen Casey got a stiff first set test against Kaspar Warming but the Danish storm blew itself out as Casey took the second set 6-0.
"Scott and Owen were sharp today on a fast court. I am confident that we can go the whole way having watched them play with such purpose. I cannot see Malta presenting us with a problem tomorrow (Thurs) and after that who can tell what might happen in the final," Wright said.
The doubles rubber gave Ireland's John Doran a chance of the action and he partnered Barron to chalk up a 6-2 3-6 6-2 win over Warming and Jan Tripler.
