McGee rues missed chance

Irish fans were stunned into silence last night as a double fault from James McGee gifted the opening singles rubber to Finland in the Davis Cup second round tie at Castleknock.

Playing at his home club, McGee fired in a double fault on match point to Harri Heliovaara to leave the visiting player a 4-6 6-4 7-6 (7/1) 6-7 (4/7) 6-4 scoreline after a marathon four hours and 38 minutes.

McGee will regret the fact that after taking the first set in 49 minutes, he let the initiative slip after moving 4-2 ahead in the second set. The home fans were left stunned as Heliovaara (23), stormed back to reel off the next five games on the trot, in the process levelling at one set all and holding serve in the opening game of the third set.