05.06.2013 22:38:08 | The tennis hopes of the Czech Republic and America, Jiri Vesely and Jack Sock clashed for the UniCredit Czech Open quarterfinals. Vesely is a year younger and ranks 127th in ATP. Sock is 9 places above him in the ranking chart. The American took advantage of a break in the first set and won the opening set 6:4. In the second set, Vesely was leading 3:0, 5:2, but Sock won the break back at 5:4. The American did not take advantage of his serve at 6:4 and the sets leveled up. And the third set? The match was decided in a tie-break! Vesely was leading 4:0, 4:3, 6:3, and converted the second match-ball! “It was an extremely hard match against a tough opponent. I’ve known each other for a long time since we were juniors. But he has a weaker shot. It was his backhand that practically decided the match. I didn’t show my best performance but I’m grateful for the victory,” satisfied Vesely said after the match.
What was the turning point in the last set in which Jiri Vesely was leading 3:0? “In my opinion, I stopped playing actively and he went for it. He played much more aggressively and managed to recover from the hardship. It was only then when I started to play my game which eventually decided the match.”
The match was very emotional, exalted, and full of disputes. Sock started to have contentious discussions with the chair umpire more frequently.
“Sock is a typical American and it’s natural for him. Same as emotions are a natural part of the sport. You mustn’t let the opponent upset you and you must stick to your game. That’s what I managed much better than he did today.”
And what did the couch Jaroslav Navratil say after the match. “It was a great match of two promising players who should win recognition in the future. Sock hit better shots but Jiri, on the other hand, showed his inner strength and brought the match to a victorious end. Such matches improve the self-confidence and Jiri needs such successes. He has shown great tennis at UniCredit Czech Open so far.”
