Two from three not bad for Gardiner

Trailing 4-2 in the deciding set, David Gardiner’s back was firmly pinned against the wall.

Cobh’s tennis prodigy had travelled to Fitzwilliam tennis club in Dublin with the sole aim of annexing the Irish U18 Open title and despite sweeping to the final’s first set 6-1, his descent thereafter had been a swift one.

Opponent Philip Sheehan romped to the second 6-1, capturing an early break in the third.