Sock Rockets Past Ferrer in Auckland

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Sock Rockets Past Ferrer in Auckland

Jack Sock reversed course after dropping the first set and pounded his way past four-time ASB Classic champion David Ferrer, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, to reach his second career final on Friday.

The 23-year-old American put on an impressive power display, defusing one of the tour’s most indefatigable grinders to earn his 11th career Top-20 victory—most of any player outside the ATP’s Top-20.

Sock, who will face Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut in the final, continued his unique tradition of giving a fan one of his socks after the match, except this time he pulled the sock out of his bag, signed it and offered it up to the crowd.

The American told the crowd that he woke up with flu-like symptoms, but he seemed anything but ailing as he swept through 12 of the final 15 games against the top seed.

“Obviously I knew coming in I’d have to play some unbelievable tennis,” Sock said. “And I was able to do that.”

He added: “He makes so many balls and he is such a good competitor, I knew it was going to be a physical match. I was able to dictate points, hopefully I can keep playing like that.”

The world No. 26 will face Bautista Agut on Saturday in Auckland as he bids for his second career title and first on a hard court.

The Spaniard saved a match point in defeating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-4, to reach his seventh career final. It was his first win in three tries vs. the Frenchman.

Sock and Bautista Agut have met three times at the tour-level with Sock winning two of three, including the last two.

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