More to come from Sorensen, says Tennis Ireland chief

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 Yen-Hsun Lu 6-4 3-6 6-2 6-1 in the first round today after battling his way through the qualifiers.

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

"I feel this will change his life, his career," said Tennis Ireland chief Des Allen.

"Obviously 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 certainly capable of going another round or two at least.

"He is making good money of course but ATP ranking points are what gets you into next week's tournament. That is probably more important than anything else."

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 Great Britain, who meet Lithuania in the first round of Europe/Africa Zone Group II 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 hope to capitalise on this over the coming weeks and months. We have to turn what is a short-term phenomenon into a longer-term boost for tennis.

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

Ireland can also call on Conor Niland, who was beaten in the final round of qualifying in Melbourne.