Jack Sock beat Steve Johnson 6-4 6-3 to get through to the final at the ASB Classic in Auckland, where he will face Joao Sousa, who beat Marcos Baghdatis 6-1 7-5.
Sock got the only break of the first set with an overhead winner to take a 5-4 lead and held his service game to clinch the first set after saving a break point. Sock hit a backhand slice passing shot to get the break in the third game of the second set for 2-1. The fourth seed earned another break with a forehand passing shot winner on match point to wrap up the match. Sock finished runner-up to Roberto Bautista Agut in Auckland last year.
“It wasn’t easy. Steve is such a good player and had such a good year last year. I was able to fortunately get a couple of breaks and that was enough. I enjoy being out here, playing in front of big crowds and being on a big stage. Obviously I want to win, but either way. I have played a lot of matches this week and my confidence is high”, said Sock.
Sock will face Joao Sousa, who beat Marcos Baghdatis 6-1 7-5 in the other semifinal. Sousa raced out to a 5-0 lead in the first set to cruise to a 6-1 in the first set. The second set went on serve until the 11th game when Sousa broke serve to love to take a 6-5 lead. The Portuguese player hit an ace in the 12th game on his third match point to clinch the second set.
Sousa beat Sock in their only head-to-head match last May in Madrid. Sock won just one of his five previous finals in Houston in 2015. Sousa will be looking to win his third career title after Kuala Lumpur in 2013 and Valencia 2015.
