Sorensen, Niland within one win of Australian Open places

Ireland’s Conor Niland and Louk Sorensen are just one victory each away from making the main draw of a Grand Slam event for the first time after hard-fought three set victories overnight in the second round of qualifying for the Australian Open.

Limerickman Niland recovered from losing the first set in his match with American Jesse Witten to win 2-6, 6-1, 6-4. A break of serve in the fifth game of the deciding set was enough for Niland to book his place in tomorrow’s deciding match with Brazilian Ricardo Hocevar.

Sorensen was also a three set winner, on a scoreline of 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 against another American, Michael Yani. He now faces New Zealand’s Daniel King-Turner, with the match also being played tomorrow.

A win for either Irishman will guarantee entry to the tournament proper which begins in Melbourne on Monday.