ILKLEY/STARNBERG, June 17, 2022
Jack Sock headlined Friday’s quarterfinals action at the Ilkley Trophy €134,920 ATP Challenger grass-court event. The fifth seed from the United States knocked off second favourite Jiri Vesely of the Czech Republic 7-6(4), 3-6, 7-6(3).
The World No. 129 withstood 30 aces, won 14 points less than his rival but secured victory in two hours and 10 minutes.
“Oh man, yeah that was interesting for sure,” said Sock. “Really tricky conditions here this year for sure, I love playing over here but we usually don’t see the sun that much so that was a factor of today. The win is pretty crazy down here, I think this valley makes it very tricky, it’s moving all over and then you’re playing a guy who can take the racket out of your hand. I don’t think I’ve ever got aced that much in my life so he’s an incredible server, he’s a great grass court player so I knew it was gonna be tough.”
Sock will next take on Constant Lestienne. The 30-year-old Amiens native emerged victorious from the all-French battle with Pierre-Hugues Herbert, who was forced to retire at 6-4, 2-6, 2-3 due to a left knee injury.
In the top half of the draw, Zizou Bergs continued his great run of form this week from the qualifying into the stage of the last four. The 23-year-old Belgian battled past Italian veteran Andreas Seppi 6-2, 5-7, 6-3. Bergs capitalized on five of his 10 break-point chances to prevail after two hours and five minutes.
Up next for the World No. 207, who captured three titles on the ATP Challenger Tour last season, will be Alexei Popyrin. The Australian lucky loser beat Dutch qualifier Gijs Brouwer 6-0, 7-5. The encounter lasted one hour and 14 minutes.
Cash/Patten continue good run of form
In the doubles event, the in-form pairing of Julian Cash and Henry Patten knocked out top seeds Fabrice Martin and Hugo Nys of France 6-7(3), 6-3, 10-5. The British duo, who were runners-up at the Nottingham ATP Challenger last week, lost out in a tight first set but after a brief rain delay came back the stronger of the two to take the second set. A dominant tie-break performance helped the pair to close out the match to take them to a third Challenger final in as many weeks.
Ilkley Trophy Results
