While in the process of causing one of the biggest upsets on an Irish tennis court in the ITF Futures at Mount Pleasant yesterday, Owen Casey also outscored his top-seeded, phlegmatic Croatian opponent Ivo Karlovic as a humorist.
When nature called for Casey early in the final set, the 6ft 10in Karlovic complained to the umpire that he (Casey) should be accompanied to the toilet in accordance with the rules. The Irish wild card entry shouted back from the pavilion "Don't worry, I am not into drugs, if I was we wouldn't be playing three sets".
Casey, at 5ft 9in, was dwarfed by the huge Croatian, who is ranked fourth in his country, and as such is certain to be in the Davis Cup squad travelling to Dublin next month. He is also more than 400 places above retired circuit player Casey on the ATP computer.
From an early stage, two things were apparent about the visitor. His serve was venomous, but he seemed to be a little sluggish. An undaunted Casey was in frugal mood and broke the surprised Karlovic in the fourth and sixth games to take the first set 6-1. Despite the Croatian's power on serve, Casey conceded fewer points on his own serve, only five in the first and third sets and nine before the tie-break in the second.
The brave Irishman played with great gusto, made some huge returns with stunning consistency and was prepared to chase down everything, often turning retrievals into sparkling winners.
Unperturbed by losing the tense second set tie-break, Casey got the crucial break on a third break point for 5-3 in the final set, forcing Karlovic to make the error off a screamer of a backhand down the line.
Casey served out to love for the match in just under two hours. Scott Barron registered his expected straight-sets win over Stephen Nugent, but Peter Clarke, Sean Cooper and David Mullins were all beaten.
Martina Navratilova plans a double assault on Wimbledon - despite her doubles comeback being derailed at the French Open yesterday. The former champion plans to contest both the women's and mixed doubles.
