Niland through to Israel final

IRELAND’S Conor Niland yesterday extended his stunning run in the ATP Challenger Israel Open by nailing down a place in the final of the $100,000 outdoor hardcourt event, at Ramat Hasharon.

Niland clinched a showdown today with Brazil’s No 4 seed Thiago Alves by executing a two-set demolition job on Germany’s Denis Gremelmayr, prevailing 7-5 6-1 after one hour and 27 minutes.

As a result of his march to the final, the 222-ranked Limerick native has picked up 60 ranking points, and he is set to break into the world top 200, becoming the second highest ranked player in the history of Irish tennis after Matt Doyle.