Gilles Simon outlasted Jack Sock to record a 4-6 7-6[2] 6-3 victory at the Rome Open earlier today.
Twenty-two-year-old American Sock continued his recent positive form by claiming the first set in just 45 minutes.
He was then up a break in the second set, but Frenchman Simon hit back to force a tie-breaker, which he won with ease.
In the decider, Sock appeared to tire and when trailing 4-3, he was broken by Simon, who then kept his composure to serve out for the match to love.
The 12th-seeded Simon will now take on either Dominic Thiem or Simone Bolelli for a place in the third round.
Written by
Liam Apicella
Liam Apicella
