By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday February 7, 2023
Jack Sock's is leaner and meaner as his 2023 campaign begins in Dallas.
Photo Source: Getty
Jack Sock is looking like a lean, mean fighting machine as his 2023 commences.
The 141st-ranked 30-year-old skipped the Australian swing and has spent the last three months putting in the hard yards on the practice court and in the gym. He used the confidence gained from his training exploits to edge past Ilya Ivashka in a brutal battle at the Dallas Open on Monday night.
“That’s why I put in the work right there the past few months,” Sock told Blair Henley on court after the match. “I didn’t go down to Australia, so I did about a three-month offseason to get my body right, get everything dialed in and give this sport another good run.
“I’ve had a tough couple years and it’s been fun grinding my way back. These matches are what makes it worth it to keep going and this one feels great. I’m excited to move on.”
Sock will face top-seeded Taylor Fritz in second-round action in Dallas.
The former World No. 8 battled past Ilya Ivashka 7-6(2), 4-6, 6-4 after three hours and four minutes. He saved 15 of 18 break points, including 15 of 18 in the third set. After squandering a 3-0 lead in the final set, Sock saved four break points at 4-all and secured his hard-fought victory in the next game.
Fritz leads Sock 3-2 in their head-to-head, including a straight-sets win over his compatriot at Dallas last year.