Open joy for Irish duo

CONOR NILAND and Louk Sorenson, Ireland’s top two-ranked tennis stars, last night qualified for the main draw of the US Open after victories in the third qualifying round at Flushing Meadows in New York.

Niland was forced to bounce back from a set down before securing victory over Matwe Middelkoop while Sorenson had to overcome two opponents following Thursday’s weather delay.

Ranked 199 in the world, Limerick’s Niland struggled in the opening set before a break late in the third helped secure him a 2-6 6-1 6-4 over his Dutch opponent.

Either side of that clash, Sorenson cruised past Gastao Elias 6-4 6-1 before beating Austria’s Martin Fischer 7-6 6-1.

Sorenson had dramatically retired from the game in May but now he faces the second Grand Slam of his career following his memorable Australian Open debut in 2010.

Now Sorenson and Niland, who qualified for Wimbledon earlier this summer before bowing out in dramatic style against Adrian Mannarino, face an uncertain weekend due to Hurricane Irene with the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens due to shut down from tomorrow morning.

“It’s a great feeling to get through to back-to-back Grand Slams,” Niland told the Irish Examiner last night as he watched Sorenson’s match on Court Six.

“I was one of the lucky ones on Thursday because I managed to get my second round game finished before the weather turned.

“Some people had to play this morning (Friday). I’m delighted to get done and be through to the draw.”