Monday saw the start of the Blake's of the Hollow West Ulster Open at Enniskillen Tennis Club and despite predictions of hail and thunder the courts managed to avoid the worst of the weather for the first two nights.

The opening two nights saw players from Belfast, Omagh, Cavan, Ballybofey, Manorhamilton, Sligo Irvinestown and host club Enniskillen renew rivalries and friendships in a friendly and lively atmosphere.

The honour of opening play went to local Enniskillen player Paul Carron and Irvinestown's Brendan King in the B Men's with Brendan showing his experience to win out in straight sets. However things were to improve quickly for the host club players as Martina Boyd and Josie Gillen provided the first shock of the tournament beating the number two seeds Moyah Gallagher and Helen McDaid from Butt Hall in Donegal in the B Ladies Doubles with Josie celebrating her first ever win in the open tournament.

Others to shine were mother and son pairing Linda and Neil Corrigan who recovered superbly from losing the first set to take their B mixed match against fellow club players Ollie McShea and Lisa Greaves.

Yesterday's matches saw a number of favourites come to the fore as the top two seeds in the B men's, Chris Cieplucha and Paul Crilly progressed ominously with straight sets victory as did Irvinestown's Francis Taggart in the B ladies. However the tie of the first two days was undoubtedly the A Ladies singles match between Enniskillen's Louise McGann and Irvinestown's Donna McSorley.

Having lost the first set 6-4, Louise fought her way back into the match winning the second set 6-1. Both ladies then produced their best tennis of the match in a gruelling third set which went all the way to a tie break. Donna surged ahead 6-1 with 5 match points only for Louise to again pull her back to 6-5 with Donna finally converting her last match point to win the tie.

This year also sees the club's best juniors perform in the Senior Open for the first time with the organisers decision vindicated with opening singles wins for Laura Griffin, Jared Monaghan and Daire Dillon. Jared was eventually knocked out by Butt Hall's Francis Venzon but only after giving the impressive number three seed a serious workout.

Matches continue for the rest of this week through to Sunday with food and refreshments available throughout the week.

With "Blake's of the Hollow", Fermanagh's most famous establishment renewing its generous sponsorship, the competition promises to be intense for all 14 titles, not to mention the impressive prize fund of �2,500 on offer.

Tournament organisers are delighted to see all singles title holders from 2013 returning to defend their trophies. Pre tournament favourite for the 'A' Men's singles is Bangor's in-form Karl Donaldson who will face stiff competition from Hawarden's Gareth McCreevy, with Gareth determined to hold on to the title he won so impressively last year. Local hopes rest with the recent winner of the Irish National Indoor Veterans title, Matthew McGann seeded at 4 with big hitting Francis Venzon from Butt Hall Club in Letterkenny seeded three completing the top of the draw in a very competitive and open A Mens. The A Ladies event sees strong favourite Kerri Russell, from ATT Academy in Ballymena, fresh from a hard fought win in last week's West Of Ireland in Sligo, back to defend her title. Kerri is also entered in both mixed and ladies doubles and will no doubt be looking to go one better than the two titles she lifted last year.

The organisers are hoping for large galleries particularly over the Saturday and Sunday matches as the competitions draw to a climax.

While tennis is rightly renowned for its intensive competitive nature with someone always losing, the West of Ulster is equally renowned for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere and all are welcome.