TENNIS/Davis Cup Ireland v Slovenia: It was a painful opening session for Ireland last night where hopes of staying in Group Two of the Davis Cup's European-African zone faded like the sun setting behind Fitzwilliam

Playing Slovenia for the right not to drop down into a lower strata of international tennis, Ireland deservedly lost one match, and suffered defeat in another they could easily have won, to go 2-0 down. While it is not the end - the doubles pairings today and the reverse singles tomorrow provide a glimmer of hope - Ireland have managed to dig a large hole for themselves.

Kevin Sorensen stepped out first to face Grega Zemlja, who was once ranked a career high of 320 but has since dropped to just inside 400. Still it was a higher ranking than that of the 25-year-old Irish player and it showed over three sets, none of which were in doubt.

In Sorensen's defence, he has not been playing as much tennis this year as before and has been injured. That has been reflected in his ranking, which has tumbled from 353 last year, to a lowly 858.

Serving strongly and unusually competent at the net, Zemlja confined Sorensen to just four points on his serve in the first set. The lack of real threat there gave the visitor regular opportunities to try to break the Irishman's serve, which he succeeded in doing twice for a 6-2 opening.

It took only 29 minutes and while Sorensen rallied in the second set to win a service break back as Slovenia served for the set, the resistance was fleeting.

Sorensen broke him for 5-4, held for 5-5. But that was it and Zemlja, at 6-5, earned two set points. Sorensen's forehand to the net for 7-5 realistically closed the contest. Twenty-three minutes later the match had finished 6-2, 7-5, 6-1, Ireland again posing little threat on the Slovenian's serve and handing over twice.

Conor Niland had better credentials to do well. Coming off a series of professional events and a successful collegiate season, the Limerick player's Davis Cup record of five wins in 10 matches was reason enough to feel hopeful. That lasted through a three hour 22 minutes, five-set match that he'll be greatly disappointed at having lost against Marko Tkalec.

Taking the first set 6-4, Niland then dropped the second as he went for broke on a second serve and double faulted for 6-2, leaving the match 1-1. A service break in the fifth game of the third set gave him momentum again and while Slovenia threatened to come back into it, Niland mopped four points in a row on serve for 6-4 and 2-1.

The fourth set again saw the Irishman struggle with his percentages on first serve and although Tkalec received a medical time out for a shoulder injury, his play was unaffected. Just one service break as Niland struggled to stay in the set was enough to bring it to 2-2 (6-4).

Tkalec did what he could to slow down play and as the 29-year-old tied shoelaces, mopped his head and took a toilet break too, Niland kept in the match.

But an erratic final set blew up in his face. Five exchanges of service games ensured the crowd remained seated but to their horror, three of those fell to Slovenia. The crucial break came in the eighth game when Niland's forehand found the net. So the experienced Tkalec stepped up to serve for the match at 5-3. Did he choke? Game to love and Ireland stare at relegation.

Ireland 0 Slovenia 2 (G Zenlja bt K Sorenson 6-2, 7-5, 6-1; M Tkalec bt C Niland 4-6, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3)