Yvonne Doyle's performance on day one of the Irish Women's Open Tennis championship was one of real distinction in more ways than one at Fitzwilliam yesterday.

The number four seed was the only home player to survive, as the Irish challenge came under the kosh, almost as unexpectedly as some spectators were drenched by lodgements of water falling from the canopies on the balcony.

Moveover, the full-timer from Castleknock was alone in taking a set without dropping a game against Swedish opponent Maria Wolfbrand. This came about largely because the Swede lost heart after losing out on chances to take the first set on the tiebreak, especially when she had two serves at 7-6, having broken back twice.

Doyle pocketed the tie-break 86 and then pulverised a dejected opponent whose resistance faded to an alarming degree. Doyle's clinical execution of a moribund challenge saw her lose only five points on serve. The talented Swede could manage only one second-set point on serve and that came as she was serving to stay in the match at 05 and 0-30.

Elsa O'Riain was the better of the remaining Irish challenges before going down 7-5, 6-3 to Italian Mara Santangelo. O'Riain blew hot and cold though and was, most crucially, broken in the 11th game of the first set.

Federation Cup players Kelly Liggan, Karen Nugent and Gina Niland were dismissed in a discouraging procession. Britain's unseeded Sam Smith justified her entry on a protected ranking by beating number two seed Zsofia Gubacsi of Hungary in three sets. The holder and top seed Lucie Ahl also went through.