Sock Wins First Masters, Goes To London

Sock wins

Rolex Paris Masters, France

Men’s Final: [22] Jack Sock (USA) vs. [77] Filip Krajinovic (SRB)

Sock could have been out of this tournament in his very first match and he may well look back on that match with Kyle Edmund as the moment his career changed forever.  There is no doubt that he has talent; however, the knock on him has been his questionable mental fitness, his seeming unwillingness to fight through when things are not going well.

It was his willingness to fight through adversity against Edmund that allowed him to get to the final today. It was the proof the American needed, perhaps, to believe that he had it within him to fight. Sock proved that again today when he fought back after dropping the first set and I must say I really did not expect him to do so. Krajinovic was playing so well, I thought there was no way Sock was winning this match.

However, I did not take into consideration two things: Sock’s new found desire to fight and the impact of the occasion on the game of the Serbian. Both worked in favor of the American, who had to fight for the victory despite being the higher ranked player.  Krajinovic was relentless and perhaps it was not solely nerves that cost him the match; he got through the qualifying rounds and fatigue may have cost him after he lost the second set.

It was a thoroughly engaging match and although Sock wobbled a little in the second set, he regained his focus in the third and dismantled the game of the Serbian for the 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 victory. With the win, Sock ends his season as the top American male for the first time; gets into the top ten for the first time; wins his first Masters title; and makes his first ATP World Tour Finals.

SOURCE OF IMAGES: Bing search

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