Jack Sock has a great name, great serve and may one day be as great as his Nebraska counterpart, Andy Roddick.
Sock, the 19-year-old phenom from the Cornhusker state who turned pro just a year ago, made a breakthrough yesterday by overpowering Italian clay-court specialist, Flavio Cipola, who had routed him in July in Los Angeles.
The hulking Sock posted a 6-2, 6-2, 6-4, victory on the boisterous new Court 17 to make it to the U.S. Open’s third round. The key game occurred in the second set when Sock survived seven deuces to hold on for a 4-2 lead and stay a break ahead. He fought off three break points in the game.
“I haven’t really felt nervous in a tennis match in a long time,’’ Sock said. “I don’t know what it is, but I think it’s a pretty good attribute for me and a pretty good thing for me to have.’’
On the day Roddick announced his retirement, a new American star was starting to twinkle. Once the 250th-ranked Sock harnesses his forehand power, he looks to be a top-20 player. Fans had a field day with his name, with one shouted during that penultimate game after he delivered an ace, “Sock it to ’em, Jack!’’