If missing the first three months of the season can be viewed as a weakness, Jack Sock hides that weakness very well. Having just played three tournaments all season Sock has reach back to back doubles Masters 1000s finals, while compiling a 9-2 record in singles play going into his first world tour final in Houston.
In the semis, Sock upset third seeded Kevin Anderson 7-6(3) 6-3 in an hour and 33 minutes to reach his first world tour final. In the encounter Sock had converted one of eight break points, withstanding 14 aces from the big serving South African while firing seven of his own. Sock had maintained a solid game plan from the start with his own service play winning 82% of first serve points and 73% of second serve points having to fend off one break point in the match.
Going into his first world tour final he will meet fellow American Sam Querrey for the first time who needed just over two hours to oust defending champion and sixth seed Fernando Verdasco in three sets. In a match that went back and forth throughout, Querrey was only able to save one of three break points on serve, while converting two from nine on Verdasco's serve. The American fired 16 aces to edge the Spaniard 7-5 2-6 6-4 to reach his first final since 2012.
This marks the 13th singles final overall for Querrey, while Sock is contesting his first. Sock comes into the final not dropping a set since the opening round match against Souza, only being broken twice since then. Querrey has only gone the distance twice this week, taking out top seeded Feliciano Lopez, 6th seeded Verdasco en route to the final.
Heading into the final, Querrey spoke of his countryman: "I've been playing well all week and I'm excited to be back in a final. I've known Jack for four years. We both want to win a final. I'm confident and he's confident. It's going to be tough."