Sorensen backs Niland as Ireland’s Davis Cup dreams ended

IRELAND Davis Cup supremo Sean Sorensen insisted that Conor Niland lacked nothing in determination during his crushing shock singles defeat by Laurynas Grigelis.

The overwhelming belief that Niland would make his considerably higher ranking (162 to 427) tell against Grigelis in the second single rubber at Fitzwilliam was smashed to smithereens when the Lithuania No 2 put his opponent to the sword on an almost unbelievable 6-2 6-3 6-1 scoreline.

In the wake of 522-ranked James McGee’s defeat by world No 132 Ricardas Berankis in the opening singles contest, the result in Niland’s match left Sorensen’s troops facing the almost impossible task of winning the three remaining rubbers to nail down a promotion play-off place against Slovenia, in September.

Unsurprisingly, the Lithuanians set up an unbeatable 3-0 lead on Saturday, when despite a gutsy performance by James Cluskey and Barry King in the doubles match, Berankis, who took a set off Spain’s world No 25 Feliciano Lopez at Wimbledon, and Gregelis prevailed on a 6-4 6-3 6-4 scoreline.

In yesterday’s two dead rubbers, Niland defeated Lukas Mugevicius 6-0 6-2, and McGee accounted for Douvdas Sakinis 6-2 6-3, leaving the final scoreline 3-2 in favour of the visiting side.

“I think Conor tried as hard as he could in his match against Grigelis,” commented Sean Sorensen.

“But unfortunately it was just one of those days.

“On a number of occasions, Conor hit in terrific first serves, but Grigelis hit back unbelievable returns with tremendous pace and depth, making it virtually impossible for Conor to get into the point.

“Grigelis was really on fire on Friday night, and he played well above his ranking throughout the whole match, when you might have expected his level to dip a bit in the third set.”

Sorensen admitted Ireland’s failure to advance to the promotion stage was a bitter disappointment. “With two home matches this year, it was a very favourable opportunity for us to put ourselves in the frame for promotion.

“But still we were under no illusions that it was not going to be difficult against the Lithuanians. They had shown their ability by beating Great Britain in the previous round, and in Berankis they had a real trump card.”