Close Contests Mark First Evening's Qualifying in Dublin
by Edel Costigan in Dublin © 2004

Qualifying play got underway in Dublin today. Holland's Karen Kronemeyer proved to be the escape-artist of the day as she extricated herself from a 0-7 deficit in the fifth game. [qualifying draw]

Photo Right: Vicky Lankester scored a straight game win over Aisling Blake of Ireland.

Local Irish hopefuls came away empty today in the first day of qualifying play at the WISPA Irish Open. The event, sponsored by Nivea Body got underway today at the historical Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club in Dublin. In a particularly disappointing development, two local contestants, Tanya Owens and Zoe Barr, were late withdrawers, giving tour regulars Runa Reta from Canada and Dominique Lloyd Walters from England walkovers into tomorrow final qualifying round.

In the first round qualifer all the seeds made it through, though not without some exciting contests.

In the most exciting clash of the day, Karen Kronemeyer had to fight back from a fifth game 0-7 deficit to beat the talented Sarah Kippax 9-2 3-9 9-4 1-9 9-7

Dianne Desira beat Kasey Brown in an entertaining four game encounter.

Dominique Loyde-Walter and Runa Reta recieved walk overs following the withdrawl of Irish players Tanya Owens and Zoe Barr.

Amelia Pittock beat Suzie Pierrepont 9-4 9-1 9-2.

Caribbean star Nicolette Fernandes made higher-rated Rebecca Botwright fight for her victory . Rebecca won 10-8 9-10 9-4 9-2.

Beyond the Irish no-shows, two other Irish women played and lost. Vicky Lankester beat Aisling Blake 9-7 9-4 9-0 and Tegwen Malik beat Laura Mylotte 9-3 9-0 9-7.