Sorensen in main draw at Australian Open

smackbunnybaby

Brilliant news!

http://www.tennisireland.ie/news/international/2010/1601/sorensen_qualifies_for_main_draw_at_australian_open

Sorensen in main draw at Australian Open

Earlier this morning Irish Davis Cup player Louk Sorensen earned his place in the main draw of the Australian Open defeating Daniel King-Turner (NZL) 6-4 7-6(3) in the final round of qualifying in just under two hours.

Louk now faces Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE) in the first round of the Main draw on Monday afternoon. Hsun-Lu is no stranger to Grand Slams, this is his fifth Australian Open reaching the 3rd round of the event in 2009. He has a current ATP ranking of 101.

Meanwhile, Louks Davis Cup teammate -Conor Niland lost in his final round match against Ricardo Hocevar (BRA) 1-6 6-4 6-3

bing3

Excellent stuff. Hope this gives Irish tennis a little more exposure.
Bad luck to Niland but should bode well for Davis Cup.

LiamMc

Louk Sorensen is off to a flyer, broke Lu in the first game 1-0.

Edit: Terrific, Sorensen wins first set 6-4. He only needed one set point to clinch it.
He only needed one break point in the first game to win that too. Other games in the first set were won comfortable enough, one or two points dropped by both opponents. Sorensen brought the ninth game to two deuces before losing.
First Set stats:
Match Summary
Sorensen(IRL) Lu(TPE)

1st Serve % 19 of 26 = 73 % 19 of 36 = 53 %

Aces 3 0
Double Faults 0 2
Unforced Errors 0 4
Winning % on 1st Serve 15 of 19 = 79 % 14 of 19 = 74 %
Winning % on 2nd Serve 5 of 7 = 71 % 8 of 17 = 47 %
Winners (Including Service) 6 0
Receiving Points Won 14 of 36 = 39 % 6 of 26 = 23 %
Break Point Conversions 1 of 1 = 100 % 0 of 0 = %
Total Points Won 34 28

LiamMc

(stats didn't present as I would have liked).

Sorensen had a chance to take the first game in the second set but it went to serve as Lu won. Sorensen has gone 0-30 up in the third game. Game went to deuce and Sorensen has just broken Lu's serve in the second set 2-1 at present.

For comparison in another outdoor court, qualifer from outside the top 200 Sergeyev (UKR) is playing Sela (Isr) ranked 52. Sergeyev also got an early break, got broken back but brooke Sela again in the first set to win it 6-3. Sela broke Sergeyev, but Sergeyev has levelled the breaks again for the second set which is on serve. So a few ties arn't going to form.


Edit; Lu has broken back immediately, 2-2 second set.

Edit: with Y-H Lu 40-15 in the fufth game, second set, that scoreline has remained the same for a while. Other games are continuing.

LiamMc

That scoreboard is malfunctioniong
They have a ticker at the moment
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/8466427.stm


Sorensen lost the second set but is 4-1 up in the third.

Bukman13

LiamMc wrote: »

That scoreboard is malfunctioniong
They have a ticker at the moment
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/8466427.stm


Sorensen lost the second set but is 4-1 up in the third.

He is 5-0 up in the 4th set according to the official site

Edit: lost 4 match points.

5-1 now

Skid

All over, Louk Sorensen wins 6-4 3-6 6-2 6-1

Great result.

Xavi6

Fantastic result for him. Do I smell a cricket-like bandwagon?!

LiamMc

Terrific result, he's likely to play tomorrow, isn't he? Monday and Wednesday.

There's a ding-dong battle to the player he'll meet. 2-2 in sets but the American John Isner (33 seed?) has a break up in the last.

Xavi6 wrote: »

Fantastic result for him. Do I smell a cricket-like bandwagon?!

No, you're just seeing (not smelling) a normal interest in the International competitions of minority sports. Athletics (Olympics, World, Europeans) and League of Ireland (UEFA club competitions) are two usual sports, that have to 'suffer' outside interest, when the competitors get to a level exceptable to the rest of the population.

JONJO THE MISER

Xavi6 wrote: »

Fantastic result for him. Do I smell a cricket-like bandwagon?!

Ive always loved my Tennis, espically when i Gamble on it. Tennis is a very good game to watch and i think once a Irishman does well there will be a big following in Ireland for it.

Tomthepost

Great result. Fair play to the chap.
Wont be a cow milked in Stuttgart I mean Glasnevin tonight:D

rjp123

LiamMc wrote: »

No, you're just seeing (not smelling) a normal interest in the International competitions of minority sports. Athletics (Olympics, World, Europeans) and League of Ireland (UEFA club competitions) are two usual sports, that have to 'suffer' outside interest, when the competitors get to a level exceptable to the rest of the population.

You can't seriously compare a Grand Slam Tennis event to a UEFA club competetion / League of Ireland or European athletics meet . The only event up listed that is in same league is the Olympics / Worlds - and even some of the sports in that are questionable. People do only gain interest once they see people competing in the big events but thats life. Fair play to Louk, a fantastic result. He has a good chance against Isner now. Hard Luck to Conor too.

spear thrower

Any footage/highlights of his game this morning.. Fair play to him great win..

Cosmo Kramer

A lot of reports this morning (particularly BBC) saying that this is the first ever win by an Irish person in a Grand Slam tennis tournament. But the indo say Matt Doyle made the last 32 in 1985 (Before my time!).

Can anyone clarify which is true?

http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/sport/sorensen-makes-history-2020997.html

rjp123

dont count on it. He wasnt on any of the main courts so all you'd likely get is a snippet of it when they cut from an arena court / highlights reel. RTE 1 TV main news on Saturday at 6 oclock and 9 oclock didnt even mention that he had qualified during the sports round up which is beyond staggering. Sports editor should be fired for that. They finished up with horse racing from some kip! The whole match, never mind a mention on the national sports news, should be on the tv.

rjp123

Cosmo Kramer wrote: »

A lot of reports this morning (particularly BBC) saying that this is the first ever win by an Irish person in a Grand Slam tennis tournament. But the indo say Matt Doyle made the last 32 in 1985 (Before my time!).

Can anyone clarify which is true?

http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/sport/sorensen-makes-history-2020997.html

Matt Doyle did better than that and got to the last 16 in the 1982 US Open. 1984 bye first round, won second round, lost last 32. Whether or not Matt Doyle is Irish or not is another story. (i.e american, irish grandfather).

rjp123

sorry that should have read aussie 1984

rjp123

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article6991408.ece

Cosmo Kramer

rjp123 wrote: »

Matt Doyle did better than that and got to the last 16 in the 1982 US Open. 1984 bye first round, won second round, lost last 32. Whether or not Matt Doyle is Irish or not is another story. (i.e american, irish grandfather).

Cheers for that. Did Doyle compete as an Irishman or was he representing USA?

Cosmo Kramer

rjp123 wrote: »

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article6991408.ece

That would be a fun Davis Cup match!

rjp123

Cosmo Kramer wrote: »

Cheers for that. Did Doyle compete as an Irishman or was he representing USA?

Representing himself but presumably under the Irish flag as first Davis Cup match for Ireland was 1981.

rjp123

Cosmo Kramer wrote: »

That would be a fun Davis Cup match!

Cliff Richard Christmas Day eat your heart out!! I was more interested in highlighting the UK Journalists comparison of the Irish set up vs. the GB set up!

cfitz

Quick question:

Does anyone here know where Sorenson was born? And what age was he when he moved to Germany (or has he always lived there)?

Cheers!

Danger_Dave

just back from the cup , was at his match today , he could have easily won it in straight sets. He really accelerated in the last 10 games. It was great to see ireland represented at a major! hopefully we'll get to see him tomorrow get a result against the big serving Isner.

On a side note Robin Soderling going down to Marcel Granollers after leadng by two sets and a break up in the third, great game and great comeback.5-7 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2.

rjp123

cfitz wrote: »

Quick question:

Does anyone here know where Sorenson was born? And what age was he when he moved to Germany (or has he always lived there)?

Cheers!

Stuttgart born and raised.

parasite

didn't they live in Cork for a while, I definitely remember tennis-playing Sorensens nearby
/sticks Cork flag in :pac:

rjp123

the father Sean is Irish (orignally from Cork I believe) but moved to Germany many years so I guess there may be extended family down there ?

Speak Now

rjp123 wrote: »

dont count on it. He wasnt on any of the main courts so all you'd likely get is a snippet of it when they cut from an arena court / highlights reel. RTE 1 TV main news on Saturday at 6 oclock and 9 oclock didnt even mention that he had qualified during the sports round up which is beyond staggering. Sports editor should be fired for that. They finished up with horse racing from some kip! The whole match, never mind a mention on the national sports news, should be on the tv.

He could get to the final and RTE wouldn't show it anyway as SKY have the rights. I wonder will SKY show his second round game live. I assume they give options behind the red button like the BBC during wimbledon

Bislam

It's actually Eurosport and not Sky who have the rights - he's out on Court 8 tonight 3rd match on after 2 womens (so about 4AM start Irish time at a guess) - there won't be any TV coverage of his court.

Chances of him winning are very slim but with what he's done so far he'll move up to his highest ever ranking, just outside the world's top 200.

Also a few Irish people won Wimbledon in the past but I think that was before it became the tournament it is now!

Speak Now

Bislam wrote: »

It's actually Eurosport and not Sky who have the rights - he's out on Court 8 tonight 3rd match on after 2 womens (so about 4AM start Irish time at a guess) - there won't be any TV coverage of his court.

Chances of him winning are very slim but with what he's done so far he'll move up to his highest ever ranking, just outside the world's top 200.

Also a few Irish people won Wimbledon in the past but I think that was before it became the tournament it is now!

Thanks i forgot U.S open is the only one SKY have. No chance of it being show then, it'll have to be followed on line point by point :eek:

munchkin_utd

does Eurosport not have an online viewing option in ireland? Eurosport player?

On the german site for Eurosport, they have streaming coverage of 8 courts live without commentary so a bit of a chance that he would be covered there.

A fiver per month to watch it though so wont be reporting on whether he's on or not.

Speak Now

munchkin_utd wrote: »

does Eurosport not have an online viewing option in ireland? Eurosport player?

On the german site for Eurosport, they have streaming coverage of 8 courts live without commentary so a bit of a chance that he would be covered there.

A fiver per month to watch it though so wont be reporting on whether he's on or not.

Maybe on line they do but not off sky digital

LiamMc

rjp123 wrote: »

You can't seriously compare a Grand Slam Tennis event to a UEFA club competetion / League of Ireland or European athletics meet . The only event up listed that is in same league is the Olympics / Worlds - and even some of the sports in that are questionable. People do only gain interest once they see people competing in the big events but thats life. Fair play to Louk, a fantastic result. He has a good chance against Isner now. Hard Luck to Conor too.

I think you've misread my post. I never mentioned 'a European athlectics meet'. I think you should direct your attention to people using 'bandwagon'.
Regarding 'Olympic questionable sports' there's a recurring debate about wealthy tennis players competing in the Olympics.

The_Kew_Tour

Congrats to Sorenson hopfully his good play can continue

McGetty

munchkin_utd wrote: »

does Eurosport not have an online viewing option in ireland? Eurosport player?

Yes, they do, and it will be possible to watch Louk tonight - if you've got broadband. Court 8 is one of the six courts with TV cameras. It's unlikely any TV station will switch their coverage to Court 8 when Louk is on (although, maybe British EuroSport, you never know, depending on what else is going on) but you can watch whatever court you want live at any time with the ES Player. A one-month subscription costs a fiver. Also, all matches are saved and can be viewed on demand so even if you're not staying up you could watch it replayed tomorrow.

Stevecw

This site could be worth trying to see Louks match for free. I've used it for ages, and its very reliable.
It lists Louks match as one that will have livestream so def be worth a try.

http://www.livescorehunter.com/Livescores/Livescore-Tennis.html

His match is at 4am, both too late to stay up for, and too early to wake up for!! Pity as I'd love to have seen it.
Hopefully for those who can, that link will show it.

Seperate

Unlucky to lose the first set. Not over by a long shot, and he doesn't look too out of his depth either.

http://sportprovider.blogspot.com/2010/01/john-isner-louk-sorensen-live.html

Skid

5-4 in the second, Louk has really come into this. if he can sneak a break and take the set, anything is possible.

Seperate

SkidMark wrote: »

5-4 in the second, Louk has really come into this. if he can sneak a break and take the set, anything is possible.

Isner didn't look like he wanted to come out at 6-5... feeling the effects of his 5 setter yesterday?

Hopefully Sorensen can take the tie breaker... he is the better player at the minute.

donegal11

can't see Sorensen coming back from this now 2 sets down, but on the bright side he's putting in a very good performance.

Skid

Yeah, that second set could have gone either way, mountain to climb now.

Still a great performance, though. Sorensen doesn't look like a man in his first Grand Slam.

Seperate

donegal11 wrote: »

can't see Sorensen coming back from this now 2 sets down, but on the bright side he's putting in a very good performance.

You're probably right, although Isner looks to be having issues with the heat. Slow up off his chair everytime and just generally looks uncomfortable. If Sorensen can pip this set anything could happen...

The_B_Man

Isner having a medical timeout now.
Could sorensen go through by default?

Seperate

The_B_Man wrote: »

Isner having a medical timeout now.
Could sorensen go through by default?

Just wanted more breathing/fluid time i'd say... he didnt seem to be hitting the ball any differently beforehand. Hit a couple of powerful forehands in the previous game actually.

The_B_Man

not lookin good for Louk.

lol at the irish support singing tho!!

Seperate

Yep, if he's going to do something, needs to be done now! 5-5 in the 3rd.

'Louks fans in the stands, let me hear you clap your hands...' - lol

Seperate

Unlucky Louk. Gave a very good account of himself and it wasn't as easy for Isner as the scoreline suggests.

The height difference when they both came into the net was unbelievable.

Couple of hours sleep before Murray gets on court...

The_B_Man

couple minutes walk from work here now and I'm at the stadium!!

just saw the stats at the end there.

Points won:
Isner - 99
Sorensen - 94

So it was a 5 point difference. I suppose is when ya get the points rather than how many you get, thats important!

Cathal93

Any one have any idea wher louk's ranking will go now??

rogie1

He will move up to about 205 (from 284). If he had beaten Isner he would have been ranked around 178. He should improve his ranking by the end of the year though as he was injured for a period last year and doesn't have many points to defend.

LiamMc

rogie1 wrote: »

He will move up to about 205 (from 284). If he had beaten Isner he would have been ranked around 178. He should improve his ranking by the end of the year though as he was injured for a period last year and doesn't have many points to defend.

Is the ranking table updated continously or are there set dates the table comes out?

Will the tournaments he plays in change significantly? I read in the "Louk Sorensen" thread that after some succes last year he will play in the 1st round of tournaments he previously had to qualify for.
Basically, will he move up a standard of tournament because of his current ranking?