Tsonga beats Anderson, into US Open 4th round

Jack Sock, a 23-year-old American, is through to the second week of the US Open for the first time.

Jack Sock produced an excellent performance to dispatch of 2014 US Open victor Marin Cilic and advance to the fourth round.

Sock came to Flushing Meadows riding a high as a double medalist at the Rio Olympics with hopes to maintain the momentum after claiming a bronze in doubles with compatriot Steve Johnson and gold in mixed doubles with Bethanie Mattek-Sands.

Against Cilic, who followed up his title with a semifinal appearance a year ago, Sock won all 14 of his service games, never facing so much as one break point.

Next up for Sock, who is ranked No. 26 in the world and reached Friday’s match by beating Taylor Fritz in five sets on Monday, is a fourth-round showdown against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

The 23-year-old Sock’s only previous trip to the second week of a Grand Slam tournament came when he got to the fourth round of the 2015 French Open.

“There’s nothing better than playing in front of the home crowd here in New York”, Sock said.

Sock, victor of the 2010 U.S. Open boys’ tournament, had been 1-5 in third-round matches at the slams but said he has grown as a player.

Cilic came to NY having won his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title in Cincinnati, where he beat Andy Murray in the final.

“Feels great. It was a big match for me”.

Cilic is known for his formidable serve, but he produced one fewer ace than Sock’s seven and got just 49 per cent of his first serves in.

Sock said improving his return of serve has been a key. I started well with good intensity and will try to carry that on to the next match.