Sock Shocks Raonic to Advance in Memphis
American wild card Jack Sock posted the biggest match win of his career at the U.S. National Indoor Tennis Championships in Memphis, defeating the second-seeded Milos Raonic 6-3, 5-7, 7-5. Raonic ended a six-match win streak, having led Canada through to the Davis Cup World Group quarterfinals before winning his third consecutive SAP Open title in San Jose last weekend. He had reached the final in Memphis the past two years.
“It feels good to get my first singles win of the year,” said Sock. “I had an unfortunate ankle roll in Australia, so this is big for me to get some confidence and momentum, not only for this week, but the tournaments coming up. To get my career-high win is obviously big for me.”
Sock converted his second break of the match to move ahead 6-5 in the third set, and served out a close game to clinch the upset over the 14th-ranked Raonic. The 20-year-old American saved eight of the nine break points he faced to advance to play fellow Countryman James Blake.
“I watched him and Andy when I was coming up,” Sock said of Blake. “I played doubles with him this week and he’s a good friend. It will be a fun match, but once we get out there, it will be another battle. May the best guy come out on top."
Also advancing in Memphis was world number 200 Donald Young of the U.S. Young will meet the fifth-seeded Kei Nishikori. The American qualifier was leading Xavier Malisse 5-1 when the Belgian was forced to retire with a back injury.
