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.