Jack Sock first US player in decade to enter semi-finals of ATP Finals

Jack Sock became the first American to reach the last four of the ATP Finals for 10 years when he beat world number three Alexander Zverev in a cracker of a match on Thursday.

The world number nine, who barged through the back door to qualify for the London showpiece by winning the Paris Masters, triumphed 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 to prolong his London adventure. “That was a rollercoaster of a match for sure, that’s been the theme of my last few weeks, hang in there and keep fighting,” Sock, said.

I CHOKED, SAYS ZVEREV

Germany’s 20-year-old Alexander Zverev has enjoyed a sensational year, winning five tournaments and reaching world number three, but it all ended in anti-climax on Thursday at the ATP Finals when he lost to Jack Sock.

“I choked. It’s quite easy. Won the second set 6-1. I was 1-0 with a break. He got a point penalty. I was down 1-4 within 10 minutes where I didn’t put many balls in the court,” he told reporters. “When I got back at 4-5, that’s one of the worst games I think I played all year.”

“It’s been an awesome year. But the end of the year was absolute crap for me,” said Zverev.

NO. 1 RANK TOUGH

Roger Federer admits earning the year-end world number one ranking is no longer a realistic ambition despite his remarkable renaissance this year. Federer is already certain to finish behind Rafael Nadal in the rankings of 2017, but the world number two appears poised to push his rival for top spot next year.

If Federer wins ATP Finals he will finish the year just 140 points behind Nadal. It worked to perfection this year and he said: “Look, it’s not a realistic goal in some ways, the world number one.

“It is interesting. It’s the ultimate achievement in tennis in some ways, it always has been for me.

“But at this age, it just can’t be because I think I’ll make mistakes if I start chasing it.

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