Ireland will have its first player in a tennis grand slam championship since 1985 after Louk Sorensen qualified for the Australian Open

The 25-year-old Dubliner defeated New Zealand's Daniel Turner  6-4  and 7-6 to become the first Irish player since Matt Doyle played in the 1985 Australian Open.

Sorensen in following in his father's footsteps. Matt Sorensen was Ireland's best player also and played at Wimbledon in 1977, where he lost to Australian great Rod Laver.

Sorensen senior is currently captain of the Irish David Cup team.

Another Irish player failed narrowly to qualify. Conor Niland was defeated 1-6 , 64, 6-3 to Brazilian Ricardo Hocevar.