Louk Sorensen defied the odds as he became the first Irishman to win a Grand Slam match in 25 years with his victory over Yen-Hsun Lu.
Irish eyes smiling in Melbourne
Louk Sorensen defied the odds as he became the first Irishman to win a Grand Slam match in 25 years with his four-set victory over Yen-Hsun Lu.
Not since Californian-born Matt Doyle reached the last 32 at the 1985 Australian Open has Ireland had anything to celebrate in the Grand Slams.
However Sorensen, the world 287, produced a memorable display to topple Lu, who is ranked 101.
Sorensen, whose father Sean coaches the Davis Cup team, had come through qualifying to reach the main draw in Melbourne and he maintained his fine form to reach the second round.
And the 25-year-old, who has spent most of his time playing on the Challenger Tour, as well as for third division Bundesliga tennis club TC Doggenburg in Germany, has no doubt about the size of the win.
"It's the biggest achievement of my career so far," said Sorensen.
Happy
"I got through the first round now so I'm very happy.
"I don't know what it will be like in Ireland. I don't want to know until after the tournament."
Sorensen will now take on big serving American John Isner in the second round - however he will have to prepare using You Tube after his coach was forced to return to Germany.
"He (coach) had to go back to Germany, he has an important meeting so he couldn't come to Australia," he added.
"But I will call my coach in Germany definitely.
"Isner is a big server. I have never played anyone that tall. He is huge.
"I am maybe going to watch a few points on YouTube."
