The comeback singles game of Jack Sock makes brilliant play at Laver Cup
When the Lincoln, Nebraska native was called to play 'The Laver Cup', he might have doubted his capabilities as a top ranked player like the rest at this year's Switzerland event. "I just had surgery on my finger this past February," Jack Sock had said beaming with pride and a bit of disbelief at his performance results on his opening singles match. He was put opposite Italy's Fabio Fognini, representing Team Europe at the Cup. Sock's torn index finger ligament was injuring during practice at the Australian Open. He had said back then depressingly "I want to forget the last year and the beginning of this...I recharged and ready to fight again," he'd said concerning his injured finger and the therapy he had off the court.
'The Laver Cup' is like a magical event where even the lowest man on the totem pole of wins, comes up smelling like a rose. This happened for Jack Sock. The singles match he had with Fognini was skillfully played and won considering how his matches went throughout the year. Sock had lost five opening rounds of tournaments from the Australian Open through to the U.S. Open. He had did so poorly that there was contemplation on just playing doubles to stay in the game. This wasn't his passion or specialty not taking into account the titles he won with Mike Bryan on substituting for his injured brother Bob.
Sock kept the plays gritty enough to dismantle Fognini's game right from the start. He led 4-1 with a barrage of excellent serving victories at zipping in shots to the open court. Sock's shots were spicy and devious as he'd hit shot after shot of dropshots and angled crosscourts repeatedly to win the points. Fognini came up with his down-the-lines too and played his strategic game, but somehow it wasn't enough to defeat Sock who won 6-1, 7-6. He had five aces and won points on over half of his first serves. Fognini's game history wasn't very lackluster as he'd won Monte Carlo, his first Masters 1000 title and is Top 10 in rankings. The singles win showed Sock's determination, skills and confidence to do well at 'The Laver Cup' and to take that mantra on throughout the tour.
The pairing of Nick Kyrgios and Jack Sock wasn't bad either as they won over Rafael Nadal and Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 3-6, 10-6. Sock knew his capabilities in doubles having won with Bethanie Mattek Sands at mixed doubles and Steve Johnson at doubles in the Olympics and with Mike Bryan during the tour. Sock and Kyrgios proved to be a great 'tag team' of blasting serves, dropshotting and finding open spots to hit for winners. The Laver Cup has proven already to Jack Sock that he still has that dynamic touch to win matches whether it be doubles or singles again.
from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/30jLOZQ
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