US Open Profile: Jack Sock

Ahead of the action starting on Monday, Baseline will feature a slew of players to watch out for during the US Open.

Age: 24

Rank: No. 17

Career Best US Open Performance: 2016 fourth round

2017 High: Sock was a force in the first three months on hard courts winning titles at New Zealand and Delray Beach. He matured into a Top-20 star on the strength of his tremendous forehand velocity, improved footwork and timely net skills.

The Midwesterner peaked with a spirited run to the Indian Wells semifinals after victories over Grigor Dimitrov and Kei Nishikori, but couldn’t get past Roger Federer.

2017 Low: When the tour switched to clay-court Europe, Sock won only two of five matches in Madrid, Rome and Roland Garros. He was expected to play well at the French Open two years after taking a set off Rafael Nadal in the fourth round. Instead, he was drubbed in straight sets in the first round by dangerous hitter Jiri Vesely. Then at Wimbledon, Sock was upset in the second round by upstart Sebastian Ofner.

Best Social Media Moment: Perhaps the most memorable moment of Sock’s year came after he won his opening Wimbledon match. He threw a towel over to a young fan, but it was wrestled away by another spectator. Sock used social media to find the 14-year-old:

US Open Outlook: He’s on home soil with the comfort of hard courts and would love to play his best tennis at the US Open. Watch how he moves his feet to set up his big forehand, and see if his confidence rises to win big matches.