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.