Jack Sock came back from one set down to beat Fernando Verdasco 6-7 (3-7) 6-2 6-3 to reach the semifinals at the Paris Rolex Masters at the Accorhotels Arena in Paris Bercy. The US player will face French hero Julien Benneteau, who stunned top 10 player Marin Cilic. With this win Sock has boosted his chance to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals in London, but he will need to win the Paris Bercy title to qualify for the year-end tournament at the O2 Arena. With a title in the French capital Sock would overtake Pablo Carreno Busta for the last qualifying spot. The only other contender for the final spot is John Isner,who will face Serbian rising star Filip Krajinovic and could book the final spot for London if he lifts the title in Paris.
Sock has reached the second Masters 1000 semifinal of his career after achieving the same feat at Indian Wells last March, where he lost against Roger Federer.
Sock dropped his serve in the second game to trail 0-3 in the first set. Sock saved two double break points in the fourth game before breaking on his third chance to draw level to 3-3. The first set came down to the tie-break where Verdasco earned three set points at 6-3 and converted his first chance with an ace.
In the second set Sock converted his fourth break point chance at deuce in the second game to race out to a 3-0 lead. He held his next service games and sealed the second set by 6-2 with another break on his third chance forcing the match to the third set.
Verdasco brought up a break in the first game of the decisive set, but Sock held his serve. The US player broke in the next game on his third opportunity, as Verdasco made a double fault. Sock reeled five consecutive game to race out to a 3-0 lead. Verdasco fended off four match points on his serve at 2-5, but Sock wrapped it up on his fifth match point in the next game.
Benneteau beat Sock in their only previous head-to-head match in Shanghai in 2014. Benneteau will play in his career second Masters 1000 semifinal. Sock had to rally from a 1-5 deficit in the third set against Kyle Edmund in the first round earlier this week.
