
Jack Sock has continued his recent surge in form by stunning top seed and defending champion David Ferrer 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, in the semifinals of the ASB Classic.
As the match got underway, Ferrer appeared on course to clinch his fifth Auckland title when he broke Sock in the sixth game of the match before taking the opening set after only 28 minutes. The world No.8 initially appeared as the dominant force in the match after winning 84% of his first service points during the opening set.
After dropping the first set, Sock responded by playing some of his best tennis to bring himself back into contention. Clinching two consecutive breaks of Ferrer’s serve, the American world No.26 charged to a 5-0 lead. Ferrer did manage to prevent the bagel, however, it wasn’t enough to disrupt Sock’s momentum. The American produced back-to-back aces to clinch the opening set with his first set point.
Sock’s dominance continued throughout the third set against the 33-year-old. In the first game of the final set, Ferrer produced an error-stricken performance to hand Sock an early break point. The break was then gifted to the American following a costly double fault from the world No.8. As Ferrer’s first serve dropped to a match low of 47%, Sock was dominating the rallies by bossing the Spaniard around the court. This resulted in the American grabbing another break to extend his lead to 4-1. There was no way back for Ferrer. A poor unforced error at the net handed Sock three match points. The 23-year-old sealed the impressive win with a 222 Km/h serve out wide.
The triumph over Ferrer almost didn’t happen for Sock as he contemplated withdrawing from the semi-final due to suffering from flu-like symptoms in the morning.
“It was a difficult day. I woke up with some flu-like symptoms. I didn’t know if I was going to play”. Sock said.
“I ended up coming out and playing some of the best tennis of my career. Maybe I can stay sick through Melbourne and play like this.”
During his semi-final encounter, Sock produced 13 aces and converted 4/6 break points. It is only the second time in Sock’s career that he has beaten a top-10 player.
In his third ATP final, Sock will play another Spanish player, Roberto Bautista Agut. Bautista Agut staged an epic comeback to upset second seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-4. The world No.25 was trailing by a set and 0-2 before breaking back to level. Then serving behind 5-6, Bautista Agut saved a match point with a solid forehand as he clinched the second set.
There was little to distinguish between the two players during the majority of the final set as nine consecutive games went with serve. Bautista Agut had a double chance to break Tsonga for 5-3 but failed to convert. As Tsonga served to stay in the match, Bautista Agut played some inspired tennis. After failing to capitalize on his first match point, the Spaniard grabbed another after hitting a stunning forehand down the line. He took the win after a lengthy rally resulted in Tsonga hitting the ball into the net.
The victory over Tsonga has ended Bautista Agut’s run of 17 consecutive losses to top 10 players. The world No.25 will be aiming to clinch his third ATP title in Saturday’s final.
Sock has played Bautista Agut on four previous occasions. Despite the head-to-head being even at 2-2, the American won their two most recent encounters last year in Houston and Indian Wells.