Defending Champion Sock Reaches Houston Quarterfinals
Last year’s US Men’s Clay Court Championships winner Jack Sock made his way into the quarterfinals of the 2016 tournament on Thursday, moving past qualifier Matthew Barton 6-2, 7-6(5).
“It’s never easy playing a guy you’ve never faced before and who you haven’t seen,” said Sock. “He’s very athletic and has a pretty big serve. He hit a couple at 138 miles per hour, I didn’t realize he had that massive of a serve.
I’ve been here for a week practicing, so I was a bit anxious to get on the court and play my first match. I felt happy with my one-two punch and I dictated well with my forehand.”
Sock won 80 percent of his first serve points and nailed down three break points in seven chances to move past Barton in straight sets.
Sock won the first ATP tournament of his career here in Houston a year ago, defeating fellow American Sam Querrey in the final.
In the quarterfinals, Sock will take on Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus. Baghdatis defeated Spain’s Fernando Verdasco 6-4, 6-3 in his second-round match on Thursday.
“Fernando is a better player than me on clay. So I tried to not give him any rhythm, play a lot of drop shots and make him move,” said Baghdatis. “I was also happy with how I served.”
Sock’s compatriot, Tim Smyczek, defeated fellow American Donald Young 6-2, 6-4 to reach his second quarterfinal of the year. He will take on Spaniard Feliciano Lopez who knocked off Lukas Lacko 7-6(4), 6-1.
The other Houston quarterfinals will see top-seed John Isner take on Hyeon Chung while Sam Querrey will play Juan Monaco.
