Sock secures meeting with Serbian qualifier Filip Krajinovic knowing victory will book his spot at the ATP Finals in London
Saturday 4 November 2017 20:16, UK
Jack Sock maintained his hopes of reaching the ATP Finals in London by overcoming French favourite Julien Benneteau in straight sets to reach the Paris Masters final.
Benneteau, chasing a maiden main tour title, was supported by a passionate Parisian crowd but faced a determined Sock who came into the match buoyed by the knowledge that he was closing in on a maiden appearance at the season-finale in London.
Sock, who come back from the brink against Kyle Edmund in the second round, produced an assured display to win 7-5 6-2 and end the French wildcard's hopes of winning a home title.
The French crowd were hopeful of a strong start from Benneteau following his impressive victory over third seed Marin Cilic on Friday but the 35-year-old, who has indicated this is his final appearance at the Paris Masters, was broken in his opening service game after missing a straight forward volley.
Benneteau, the world No 83, recovered his composure to regain the break of serve in the fourth game of the match to level the scoreline only to be immediately broken for a second time.
The opening set continued to fluctuate with the first six games seeing four breaks of serve, before the 25-year-old American took control of the encounter by claiming the opening set with a decisive break.
Benneteau, a former French Open men's doubles champion, began the second set with a love service hold to offer hope of a fightback but it was Sock who maintained his level to secure a timely break of serve in the second set to move 3-2 ahead and within touching distance of the final against a tiring Frenchman.
Sock, the world No 22, continued to attack the Benneteau serve and secured another break of serve in the seventh game of the second set before closing out the match with a comfortable service hold in one hour and eighteen minutes.
"I was able to go out today and play my game, swing big, kind of like I always do, and play some good tennis and get through," Sock said.
"Tomorrow is just a good opportunity for me to go out and try to compartmentalize all the things that would come with winning tomorrow and just go out and play my tennis again."
Sock moves within one step of an unlikely spot at the ATP Finals - he was surprised to be told by Sky Sports' Marcus Buckland that he was still in the race following his victory over Edmund - and will back himself to overcome the qualifier Filip Krajinovic in Sunday's final.
We wait to see what Benneteau decides to do over the off-season following his emotional run to the last four in Bercy. The 35-year-old French veteran remains without a title in his 17-year career but is sure of improving his world ranking immeasurably.
Next week the NextGen Finals in Milan take centre stage while the eight qualifiers for London have a well-deserved break before the ATP Finals get underway next Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
The season-ending extravaganza ATP Finals at London's O2 this November ends another memorable year.
All the action will be covered via our website www.skysports.com/tennis with live blogs, reports and expert analysis as the season reaches its climax.
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