Local Tennis Star Jack Sock Advances To Semis In Mixed Doubles At U.S. Open

When he arrived in New York a little over a week ago, former Blue Valley North tennis standout Jack Sock's goal was to play into the second week of the U.S. Open. His first choice would have been in men's singles, but mixed doubles works just fine, thank you very much.

The four-time Kansas high school state champion, Sock won his opening singles match, but was defeated by fellow American and Nebraskan Andy Roddick in straight sets in the second round. Roddick, winner of the U.S. Open men's singles title in 2003, has now advanced to the fourth round. Sock also was eliminated in men's doubles on the first day of play in this year's U.S. Open at Flushing Meadows in New York City.

On Monday, Sock, 18, and his mixed doubles partner, American Melanie Oudin, won their quarterfinals match over  Barbara Zahlavova Strycova and Philippe Petzchner 6-3, 7-6 (7-3). The win moved Sock and Oudin into the semifinals, where, weather permitting, they will take on seventh-seeded Elena Vesnina from Russia and Leander Paes from India later today at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Paes, 38, is playing in his 17th U.S. Open, and won the men's doubles crown there in 2006 and 2009.

It will be the second time in this tournament that the Nebraska-native Sock has appeared in primetime at Arthur Ashe Stadium.