HOUSTON: Jack Sock captured his first ATP Tour title on Sunday, holding off eighth-seeded Sam Querrey 7-6 (11/9), 7-6 (7/2) in an all-American final in Houston.
"It feels incredible," the 22-year-old Sock said. "It feels surreal. It feels incredible, and to have friends and family here to share it with me feels even better."
Sock had knocked off three seeded players en route to the first final of his career, and is now projected to break into the top 40 in the world rankings with a jump from his current 46th to 36th on Monday.
Although he was playing for his first singles title, Sock isn't a stranger to the game's big stages.
He teamed with Canadian Vasek Pospisil to win the Wimbledon men's doubles title last year.
Sock was slowed late in 2014 by a torn muscle in his pelvis that required surgery in December, but is making up for lost time after launching his 2015 campaign in March.
On Sunday, Sock shrugged off a rain delay of more than two hours that disrupted the first set, saving three set points in the tiebreaker to pocket the first frame.
After an exchange of breaks the second set also went to a tiebreaker, with Sock sealing the win after one hour and 45 minutes when Querrey fired a service return long.
"Jack's tough," said Querrey, who was seeking his eighth ATP title but his first since 2012.
"He has a big forehand and on heavy clay like that, he's a tough guy to beat. That's my first final in a long time, so I'm feeling good."
Sock's run to the title included victories over second-seeded Roberto Bautista Agut, fifth-seeded Santiago Giraldo and third-seeded Kevin Anderson.
"I feel I competed well and took care of my serve very well," Sock said of his week.
"On this surface against these players and the tough field that it was, to only get broken a handful of times is not easy."
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