As USA TODAY Sport’s Nick McCarvel pointed out when it happened …
Nick McCarvel @NickMcCarvel
An ode to Olympic fencer @MChamleyWatson watching on, I believe #usopen
… and Sock later confirmed at a press conference after the match, his dance was a nod to Olympic fencer Miles Chamley-Watson, who was in the stands watching Sock dominate. Sock said:
“I was fencing with my racquet. I became good buddies in Rio with one of the fencers, Miles Chamley-Watson. He lives here in New York. I have been trying to get him to come out and watch a match. He was busy doing his stuff. He was able to come out here today. Kind of on the spot I thought of turning the racquet into — I think it’s called a foil? Is that what they call it? Thought of turning the racquet into one of those and doing something for him for coming out. I think people were enjoying it. I have seen the video. It looks pretty funny, actually. Yeah, so if he’s in the box on the next one and I’m able to win, you might see a cleaned up technique and better version of it.”
This is a huge win for Sock — it’s only the second time of his career that he’s made it through to the fourth round of a Grand Slam. The first was last year, when he became first American to get to the fourth round of the French Open since Pete Sampras in 1993. Sock ultimately lost to Rafael Nadal, but did get a set off of him.
Cilic won the 2014 U.S. Open and his first Masters title in Cincinnati this year. The last time Sock and Cilic met, in a Davis Cup match this year, Sock managed to beat the Croatian in five sets.
Sock is focused on singles now: After winning two medals in doubles in Rio, a gold in mixed with Bethanie Mattek-Sands and a bronze with Steve Johnson (who lost last night in the second round to Juan Martin del Potro), he’s decided he won’t play doubles in Grand Slams anymore. With his win on Friday, Sock’s chances of climbing in the rankings and making a name for himself in singles look better than ever.
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