ATP Finals: Federer beats Sock in straight sets in opener

Whatever else happens to Jack Sock at the ATP Finals this week, his between-the-legs volley at 4-4 in the second set of his debut match will feature in the end-of-tournament showreel.

Trouble is Roger Federer was on the other side of the net and Sock’s magic moment proved in vain as the Swiss maestro spun a backhand winner past the stranded American. Sock, the first American to qualify for the ATP Finals since 2011, felt Federer’s winner owed a little to luck — not that the world number two needed much of that commodity to claim his 53rd career victory in the season-ender.
“It was a minor shank. I don’t know, it’s Roger I guess. He can do no wrong. Everything goes in,” Sock, who pushed the 36-year-old hard in a 6-4 7-6(4) defeat having dropped serve in the opening game, told reporters.

It was a fairly accurate description of Federer’s astonishing year in which, after a six-month lay-off at the end of 2016, he returned to win the Australian Open and Wimbledon to reach 19 grand slam titles.
His seven titles so far this season is his best return since he won eight in 2007 and few would bet against him matching that …read more