Ireland's women's team had an encouraging 3-0 win over Malta in the opening series of the European Nations Team Championships at the Portuguese venue of Espinho yesterday.

Spanish-based Irish player Kelly Liggan lost the opening set to a talented Lisa Camenzuli 5-7, but then became more accustomed to the indoor clay court to reel off the next two sets, 6-2, 6-3, for the match in two hours. Ireland's number one Yvonne Doyle had an easier task and was detained only an hour by Carol Torregiani before claiming a 6-3, 6-1 win.

The doubles were even easier with Gina Niland, showing no signs of her recent injury, and Karen Nugent winning for the loss of only two games.

Team manager Pete Lowther said that his team's performance "reflected the improvement made by the players over the past year". He is confident of taking at least one rubber from Portugal in tomorrow's final to ensure promotion to Division One.

The ATP Tour yesterday unveiled their new rankings system which has been designed to make the men's game easier to understand. ATP Champions Race 2000 will debut on January 1st. The winner in Adelaide at the first major event of the year will become world number one. The current world rankings system works on a 52-week continuous basis with no set starting date. The players' best 14 tournament performances are currently taken into account.

Under the new system, this would be extended to 18 with players who qualify for Grand Slams and Super Nine events required to enter these results among their top 18 results.