Ireland battle gamely but Thiem and Austria take commanding Davis Cup lead

TOP COMPETITOR: Dominic Thiem of Austria, right, and Michael Agwi of Ireland after their singles match on day one of the Davis Cup World Group I Play-off 1st Round match between Ireland and Austria at UL Sport Arena. Pic: Brendan Moran, Sportsfile

Ireland battled gamely against Austria in their Davis Cup tie in Limerick on Saturday, but the World Group I playoff is now all but beyond Conor Niland’s team as they head into Sunday’s last three matches facing a 2-0 deficit.

The Austrians boasted former world number three Dominic Thiem and current number 40 Sebastian Ofner for the opening pair of singles games and both ultimately proved too strong for Michael Agwi and Osgar O’Hoisin respectively.