US Open Junior Boys Final Rematch on the ATP Tour
As some of the top stars take time off post-Australian Open, the ATP and WTA Tours are still going full steam ahead with tournaments in Europe, the Middle East, South America and in the United States. In California, the draw for the SAP Open features several young
Americans including 2011 U.S. Open quarterfinalist, Donald Young. One of the most interesting first round matches pitted 2010 U.S. Open Junior Boys winner, Jack Sock, against the player her defeated in that final, Denis Kudla. A year and a half ago, Sock won the title beating Kudla 3-6, 6-2, 6-2.
On Tuesday night in San Jose, California, Kudla was the victor defeating Sock 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-3. At the start of the tournament, Kudla was ranked 203 while Sock was ranked 308. Sock and Kudla are both nineteen and although they had never played in an ATP level match, they had played twice on clay in Futures events in 2010 and 2011, which were both won in straight sets by Sock. At the 2011 U.S. Open, Sock also played a prime time match against Andy Roddick and impressed many with his powerful all-court game. Clearly, both Kudla and Sock have a long way to go before they make an impression on the ATP Tour and time will tell if they accomplish that. Regardless, it’s important to remember that junior rivalries carry into the pro ranks as was seen by Roger Federer’s early career struggles against David Nalbandian, who beat him as well in the juniors.
On Tuesday night in San Jose, California, Kudla was the victor defeating Sock 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-3. At the start of the tournament, Kudla was ranked 203 while Sock was ranked 308. Sock and Kudla are both nineteen and although they had never played in an ATP level match, they had played twice on clay in Futures events in 2010 and 2011, which were both won in straight sets by Sock. At the 2011 U.S. Open, Sock also played a prime time match against Andy Roddick and impressed many with his powerful all-court game. Clearly, both Kudla and Sock have a long way to go before they make an impression on the ATP Tour and time will tell if they accomplish that. Regardless, it’s important to remember that junior rivalries carry into the pro ranks as was seen by Roger Federer’s early career struggles against David Nalbandian, who beat him as well in the juniors.
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