The Guinness was flowing in Melbourne on Friday as Conor Niland and Louk Sorensen, both of Ireland, went to within one match of qualifying for their first grand-slam event.
Niland defeated Jesse Witten, the American who extended Novak Djokovic, the world No 3, to four sets in the third round of last year’s US Open, 2-6, 6-1, 6-4. Sorensen, who was born in Stuttgart but is proud to hold an Irish passport, beat Michael Yani, another American, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
In stark contrast, the 6-1, 6-2 defeat of Daniel Evans by Santiago Ventura, of Spain, was a temperamental capitulation and ended British hopes of anyone joining Andy Murray in the draw.