Resolute singles displays by Yvonne Doyle and Kelly Liggan gave Ireland's women's tennis team a lifeline at the penultimate stages of the qualifying rounds of the Federation Cup in Antalya, Turkey yesterday.

Following defeat to unseeded Latvia on Tuesday, Doyle and a much improved Liggan, the Irish number one, produced crucial straight-sets wins against their Maltese opponents to set up a 2-1 victory. The doubles match, resulting in defeat for Doyle and Karen Nugent, was described as disappointing by team manager Peter Lowther but the overall 2-1 result means that the Irish women will be in control of their own destiny when facing a formidable Georgia team in today's Pool A decider. Ireland need a 3-0 win to progress.

Doyle's consistency off the ground was once again her strong point en route to a 6-4 6-1 win over Carol Cassar Torregiani while Liggan, improving on her losing performance against Latvia, crushed Lisa Camenzuli 6-1 6-2.

Torregiani and Camenzuli showed a greater determination than their Irish opponents in an unusually tense dead rubber doubles, winning 7-6 7-5.

A 3-0 win would have been an ideal result for Ireland, who now cannot afford to drop a set against Georgia today. "At least we now have a target to attain and as I see it the girls are capable of white-washing Georgia to give us promotion," said Lowther.

Joannette Kruger of South Africa pulled off the biggest shock so far of the $1.2 million Masters Series tournament in Rome yesterday, coming back to defeat fifth-seeded Nathalie Tauziat of France 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.

Amelie Mauresmo of France progressed to the third round after a 7-6 (9-7), 6-3 defeat of Spain's Angeles Montolio.