Fit Sock wants to go one better in Auckland

Jack Sock has some unfinished business in Auckland this week.

The 24-year-old American played Roberto Bautista Agut in the final of last year’s ASB Classic, but retired at 6-1 1-0 when he realised there was no point continuing.

He was desperately ill with the flu towards the end of that week and at one stage in the morning of the final it looked as though there wouldn’t even be a match.

Sock chose to ignore medical advice and play against the Spaniard, but it was apparent from the beginning that he was in no fit state to play.

"Yeah, hopefully there are no flu symptoms this year,’’ Sock said on Monday, after flying in from Perth where he played in the final of the Hopman Cup.

‘‘But I’ve had great memories here, played a lot of good tennis and came up short last year in certain circumstances but always love coming back.’’

In 2016 Sock played in three ATP finals and didn’t win any of them. But against Juan Monaco in Houston and Juan Martin del Potro in Stockholm he knows he gave it everything he had, but came up short. In Auckland he just wasn’t able to have a crack at it.

‘‘I found some sort of second wind against (David) Ferrer (in the semifinals) and played incredible (winning 3-6 6-1 6-2), I’m not sure how I did that.

‘‘When I woke up that morning and tried to come out and do what I can, I didn’t have much expectation.’’

Sock, who is the fourth seed at this week’s Classic, is ranked 23 in the world.