Gina Niland's current form on the British tennis circuit bodes well for Ireland's prospects in next month's Federation Cup in Turkey (May 5th to 9th).

The Irish number one stormed through to the semi-finals of the high-profile Giro tournament in Bournemouth last week, numbering Britain's Lesley Herbert and Israeli Limor Gubay among her `victims'. Niland has returned to the professional circuit while on vacation from her post as girls' coach at the elite Millfield School in Somerset. Yesterday she beat Laura Cartwright, currently the leading British teenage prospect. Niland dropped the first set but took the match 4-6 6-2 6-2.

The Irish Federation Cup selectors are awaiting news of the availability of Kelly Liggan, the talented player of Irish parentage based in Spain, before deciding on a replacement for Claire Curran, who cannot return from her scholarship in the United States.