Sock Beats Zverev, Returns To Stockholm Final

American Jack Sock will play for his first title of the season on Sunday at the If Stockholm Open.

The 24 year old rallied to beat #NextGen star Alexander Zverev 6-7(4), 7-6(4), 6-4 in two hours and 48 minutes on Saturday. The top American saved 10 of 12 break points to return to the If Stockholm Open final for the second consecutive year. He fell in last year’s title match to Tomas Berdych.

“We both had chances obviously at times,” Sock said. “It was a very good match, very good tennis. We both were battling out there.”

On Sunday, Sock will face another top opponent in Juan Martin del Potro, who prevailed against second seed Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 7-5. Sock won the only prior match-up in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series, a 6-4, 7-6(2) win earlier this season in Madrid.

“He’s been playing great this week… He’s serving well and hitting big forehands,” Sock said. “So I’m definitely going to have to try to get into his service games as best as I can, scrap some points out and then take care of my serve.”

The American had lost to Zverev during their only prior match-up but overcame the hard-hitting German to reach his third final of the season (Auckland, l. to Bautista Agut; Houston, l. to Monaco).

Zverev, with power from both sides, often controlled the baseline rallies. But Sock found success in variety. He angled slices away the 19 year old, forcing the 6’6” right-hander to leave the baseline. The Nebraska native also tossed in drops shot and served and volleyed with success.

Zverev claimed the first set with a booming forehand overhead but Sock captured the second-set tie-break to even the match. In the third set, he continued his strong play and led 4-1 before Zverev broke back once more. Sock, however, would earn the final break, ripping a forehand winner for his 33^rd win of the season.

Sunday’s match will mark Sock’s fifth career final. He won his maiden title last year in Houston before falling in the Stockholm final.