Sorensen’s Aussie win offers ‘life-changing’ chance

LOUK SORENSEN’S unexpected victory in the Australian Open will be “life-changing”, according to the chief executive of Tennis Ireland.

The Ireland Davis Cup player maintained his startling progress by beating Chinese Taipei’s (Taiwan’s) 101-ranked Yen-Hsun Lu 6-4 3-6 6-2 6-1 in the first round after battling his way through the qualifiers.

Sorensen thus became the first player from this country to win a match in the main draw in one of the annual four Grand Slams in over 25 years.

The last Irish player to achieve such a feat was the legendary Matt Doyle, who was leading Kim Warwick 7-6 2-0 in the first round of the then-grass court Australian Open, on November 26, 1985, when the Australian player was forced to retire because of injury. The most recent completed-match win in a Grand Slam by an Irish player was when Doyle beat big-serving American Roscoe Tanner 6-2 6-2 6-4 in the opening round of the US Open, on August 28, 1984.

While Sorensen savours his moment in the sun after playing mostly in Challenger Tour and Futures events, friends in Dublin are joining in the applause.

“I feel this will change his life, his career,” said Tennis Ireland chief Des Allen. “Louk has to capitalise on this but he is evidently capable of doing that. I am sure he will work from this platform he has created for himself. We have known for a long while he was capable of this sort of thing but he’s had fitness problems, including a stomach muscle injury. He is capable of going another round or two at least.

“He is making good money but ATP ranking points are what gets you into next week’s tournament. That is probably more important than anything.”

Sorensen, 25, is based in Stuttgart, where he grew up – his father Sean is Ireland’s Davis Cup captain – and where he plays for Bundesliga third division club TC Doggenburg when he is not on the road.

Louk and Sean are due to team up in the competition in March when Ireland host Turkey. A victory could see them face group rivals Britain, who meet Lithuania in Europe/Africa Zone Group II first-round matches.

Allen added: “I think we will see the effects of Louk’s win in the Davis Cup. He will be a more confident and more accomplished player. We have to turn what is a short-term phenomenon into a longer-term boost for tennis.

“I’ve been involved with the national governing body since the mid-1990s and never experienced anything like the reaction we are getting, not just from the tennis community but the sporting community, to Louk’s win.”

Sorensen was hoping size would not be a factor as he headed overnight into his second round clash against 28-ranked giant American John Isner.