I will come back better, says Zverev
■ Defeats Zverev in three- setter, Federer downs Croatia’s Cilic
London, Nov. 17: Jack Sock booked a place in the semi- finals of the ATP Finals with a surprise 6- 4, 1- 6, 6- 4 win over German prodigy Alexander Zverev, while title favourite Roger Federer warmed up for the last four by subduing Marin Cilic.
Sock is the first American to reach the semi- finals of the seasonending event since Andy Roddick in 2007.
The 25- year- old, up to a career high ninth in the world rankings, only qualified for the Tour Finals thanks to his first Masters title in Paris earlier this month.
Sock was so sure he wouldn’t make it to the O2 Arena that he had planned to play a round of golf at Augusta this week.
Instead of working on his putting, Sock ground out a hard- fought victory over third seed Zverev, securing second place behind Federer in the Boris Becker Group and a Saturday semi- final date with Pete Sampras group winner Grigor Dimitrov.
“That was a rollercoaster match. I didn’t have the hottest start in the third but I kept in there and kept fighting,” Sock said.
Dimitrov, who takes on Pablo Carreno Busta on Friday, qualified for the last four after winning his first two matches.
Federer’s opponent will be either David Goffin or Dominic Thiem, who clash in a Sampras Group tie on Friday.
Cilic had been hampered by a blistered foot and the Croat was reduced to tears during the match as his predicament sunk in.
In their first meeting since All England Club showdown, Federer frustrated the already eliminated Cilic once again as he fought back to win 6- 7 ( 5/ 7), 6- 4, 6- 1. London, Nov. 17: Alexander Zverev has vowed to use the frustration of his ATP Finals exit as fuel to build on his breakthrough year when he returns to action in 2018.
Zverev has emerged as one of the brightest young stars on the ATP tour over the last 11 months, but the German world number three was unable to cap his memorable campaign with a final flurry at London’s O2 Arena.
Bidding to become the youngest Tour Finals semifinalist since Rafael Nadal in 2006, the 20- yearold was bundled out by Jack Sock.
Zverev admitted he had only himself to blame for the season- ending loss.
“Yeah, I choked. It’s quite easy. Won the second set 6- 1, then I was down 1- 4 within 10 minutes where I didn’t put many balls in the court,” he said.