IT is just as well that today is a rest day in the Pamela Scott sponsored Irish Open Indoor Tennis Championships at Riverview. Because of the fiercely competitive nature of matches so far, the danger of tournament fatigue setting in amongst the ambitious unseeded players, before they are confronted by the big guns tomorrow, is already of a cause for concern.

Gary Kilduff, for instance, had a second consecutive match of oppressive demands, this time against Cronan McNamara, before making it into the final 16 after a two and a half hour struggle. Kilduff's troubles began in the opening game of the second set which he lost, despite winning the previous six.

McNamara settled well to level the match by winning the set 6-3 and had to be broken twice in the final set before succumbing 6-0, 3-6, 7-5. Kilduff meets the number five seed Nick Malone for a quarter final place.

Cormack Jennings, who favours the serve volley power game, ousted Barry Leonard. Fergal McDonough's hard earned victory over James Colhoun paves the way for an interesting clash with David Mullins.

Twenty year old McDonough is on scholarship in Georgia and his experience should help him to an extended run in the championship.

Jenny Timoney against Emma Doyle, and Shiela Byrne opposing top seed Yvonne Doyle look the pick of the women's ties when the action resumes tomorrow.