Another Irish blow as Sorensen injured

FOR the second day in succession, an Irish tennis player was forced to retire from a US Open first round match as Louk Sorensen succumbed to injury against Rogerio Dutra Da Silva while losing 0-6 6-3 4-6 0-1 at the time.

It was a sad end to a dramatic morning in Flushing Meadows for the Irish number two, who was due to take on sixth-seed Robin Söderling. However, the Swede, who had been struggling with a wrist injury, was struck down with a viral infection thus forcing the Brazilian to take up the so-called ‘lucky loser’ spot in the first round proper.

Similar to the experience of compatriot Conor Niland, whose food poisoning forced mid-match treatment before his eventual retirement on Tuesday, Sorensen was visited by the doctor in the third set for what appeared to be a cramped thumb. Subsequently he clearly felt discomfort in his left calf and right hamstring and dropped his racket three times as his thumb problem worsened.