LITTLE ROCK, June 7, 2021
Former Top 10 player Jack Sock has clinched his first title since lifting the trophy of the ATP Masters 1000 in Paris-Bercy 2017. The 28-year-old US-American triumphed on home soil at the $52,080 Baptist Health Little Rock Open held at the Rebsamen Tennis Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. Sock defeated Emilio Gomez from Ecuador, No. 3 seed of the ATP Challenger Tour 80 hard-court event, 7-5, 6-4 in Sunday’s singles final.
The World No. 241, who reached a career-high ranking of World No. 8 in November 2017, advanced to the championship match with wins over Roberto Quiroz from Ecuador, No. 4 seed Ernesto Escobedo from the United States, No. 6 seeded US-American Thai-Son Kwiatkowski as well as compatriot and fifth favourite Mitchell Krueger.
Sock fired nine aces in the final and won 78 per cent of his first-service points to prevail after one hour and 50 minutes.
🏆 First #ATPChallenger singles title since *July 2013* 🏆@JackSock is the champion in Little Rock, defeating Emilio Gomez 7-5, 6-4 in the singles final! pic.twitter.com/6N4C93d1vB
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) June 6, 2021
“Little Sock Open in the books, unreal feeling to be back in winning form! There’s a lot of people to thank in my corner, but these two day in and day out have been right there with endless support! Just the start,” Sock stated on Instagram.
By winning his first Challenger title since Winnetka, Illinois, United States in 2013, Sock earned $7,200 in prize money as well as 80 ATP Ranking points. He is projected to return to the Top 230 when the new ATP Rankings are released.
Barrientos/Escobedo win doubles tournament
In other action, Nicolas Barrientos of Colombia and Ernesto Escobedo took the doubles title. The unseeded duo fought past US-American Christopher Eubanks and Roberto Quiroz 4-6, 6-3, 10-5. The encounter lasted one hour and six minutes.
Ending the week on 🔝
🇨🇴 Nicolas Barrientos & 🇺🇸 Ernesto Escobedo are the doubles champions in Little Rock after defeating Eubanks & Quiroz 4-6, 6-3, 10-5 #ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/Pbyur3wA09
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) June 7, 2021
