Two ambitious touring Brazilians, Antonio Prieto and Daniel Melo, were pressed into action on indoor courts yesterday after ITF Futures referee Steve Mehigan was forced to abandon any hope of playing outdoors due to persistent rain.

Slow red clay courts under hot sun, the Brazilians claimed, would be more to their liking, still they adapted well enough to beat top Irish players Owen Casey and John Doran in straights sets 7-5, 7-6 (7-3).

The Brazilians agreed that Casey and Doran are "difficult players to beat", but the often stunning defensive play of the Brazilians was a major factor. "It was a tough match for us," said Prieto.

Singles play was abandoned for the day, but Casey and Doran will be hoping to sustain their singles bids today, weather permitting .

The day yielded a first in main draw international tennis for both Timo Barry of Kells and his doubles partner, Kevin Sorensen of Germany. They scored a notable first-round win over Australian brothers Leo and David McCabe 6-3, 6-4. Later though, the aforementioned Brazilian duo ended the teenagers' hopes of reaching the semi-finals.

Doubles - First round (Irish in bold): N Welgreen (Isr) and D Roberts (RSA) bt R Collins and S Taylor 6-2, 6-2. A Laporte (Fra) and A Qureshi (Pak) bt J Crabbe (Aus) and J Gooding (Aus) 6-0, 6-1. S Iwabuchi (Jpn) and A Ram (Isr) bt C Niland and S Nugent 6-1, 6-4. D Bracciali and I Gaudi (It) bt R Brooks and B McManus (Brit) 6-2, 6-4. T Barry and K Sorensen (Ger) bt L and D McCabe (Aus) 6-2, 6-4. D Melo and A Prieto (Bra) bt O Casey and J Doran 7-5, 7-6. C Bennett and T Spinks (Brit) bt L Holland (Aus) and P Langvardt (Den) 6-4 7-5. J Erlich (Isr) and A Hadad (Isr) bt S Cooper and D Mullins 7-6, 6-4.

Quarter finals: Laporte and Qureshi bt Roberts and Wellgreen 6-3, 3-6, 7-6. Bracciali and Gaudi bt Iwabuchi and Ram 7-5, 6-7, 6-4. Melo and Prieto bt Barry and Sorensen 6-0, 6-1. Erlich and Hadad bt Bennett and Spinks (WO).