Local Hero Ryan Earns Irish Open Qualifier

Ireland's former world No7 Derek Ryan celebrated the return to the city of his birth in sensational style when he survived a 95-minute marathon qualifying final to earn a place in the main draw of the Cannon Kirk Homes Irish Open at the Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club in Dublin.

The 37-year-old, who retired from the PSA Tour in 2004, is now a fully qualified physiotherapist and based at Dublin's Sports Med Ireland Clinic. After a 70-minute win in the first qualifying round, Ryan overcame Australia's Bradley Hindle, ranked 90 in the world, 11-7, 11-7, 6-11, 8-11, 11-5 in a tense qualifying final.

The eight-times Irish champion has been drawn to face England's No8 seed Stacey Ross in the first round.

There was also Irish success in the women's qualifiers: Fresh from her first WISPA World Tour win at the Malmo Open in Sweden, Irish No2 Laura Mylotte won her way into the main draw when her English opponent Georgina Stoker, ranked 50 in the world, had to withdraw with an injury with the local star leading 3-9, 9-2, 9-2.

The 31-year-old from Galway will face Malaysia's No6 seed Tricia Chuah in the main draw.

Ireland's Madeline Perry, ranked 9 in the world, is the top seed in the women's event, with Spaniard Borja Golan, last year's winner and now ranked 20 in the world, expected to defend the men's title he first won last year.

Men's qualifying finals:
Simon Rosner (GER) bt Rob Sutherland (WAL) 11-4, 11-6, 11-4 (28m)
Derek Ryan (IRL) bt Bradley Hindle (AUS) 11-7, 11-7, 6-11, 8-11, 11-5 (95m)
Bernardo Samper (COL) bt David Barnett (ENG) 11-9, 11-8, 11-9 (34m)
Julian Illingworth (USA) bt Jonathan Harford (ENG) 11-6, 10-11 (1-3), 11-2, 1-11, 11-8 (75m)

Women's qualifying finals:
Laura Hill (ENG) bt Orla Noom (NED) 9-6, 7-9, 10-8, 9-7 (58m)
Margriet Huisman (NED) bt Delia Arnold (MAS) 9-2, 9-6, 9-5 (35m)
Laura Mylotte (IRL) bt Georgina Stoker (ENG) 3-9, 9-2, 9-2 ret. (30m)
Tenille Swartz (RSA) bt Emma Beddoes (ENG) 9-6, 3-9, 6-9, 9-1, 9-5 (55m)