TENNIS: The match that was tailor-made to light up the closing stages of the Ellesse-sponsored Irish Women's Open Championships failed to materialise with the shock defeat of top seed Yvonne Doyle at Castleknock yesterday.

Supporters waited in anticipation of the emergence of a unique all-Irish semi-final in an ITF tournament, between Doyle and Cork's Elsa O'Riain, but an ambitious 19-year-old Swede Helena Norfeldt spoiled the party in eliminating Doyle.

Norfeldt played a stronger and more varied game off the ground that belied her 890 world ranking, 527 places below Doyle.

A victory for Doyle seemed more likely than O'Riain's near whitewash of the number five seed,Nicole Kriz of Australia, but whereas O'Riain was solid in all aspects of her play, too many parts of Doyle's game betrayed her cruelly on the day.

Early signs were that, if anything, O'Riain had the more difficult task of the two against Kriz and Doyle compounded the notion by winning the first set 6-1.

Norfeldt began to find her normal form in the second set, in contrast to Doyle whose game became less reassuring from midway through the set which she lost in the 12th game.

Norfeldt's revitalised approach got the spur it needed in the seventh game of the final set when she broke Doyle's recalcitrant serve, the crucial break of a two hours and 15 minute match.

O'Riain felt very much at ease against a player whom she felt had nothing to hurt her with. The Australian's serve was vulnerable, giving O'Riain early and late opportunities to break it.

O'Riain broke in the first game, and led 5-1 before pocketing the set 6-2.

"When I broke her again in the first game of the second set I think she became disheartened," said O Riain.

Norfeldt will be a far more difficult opponent for the Cork girl.

This semi-final will not be played as part of the usual morning schedlule and instead is given a 5.30 start in order to facilitate spectators.

The other semi-final between Jenny Lindstrom of Sweden and Karina Jacobsgaard of Denmark goes on at 11 a.m.