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Sock pulls out of U.S. Open, as early retirements reach record-high

Published 09/03/2015, 06:30 PM
Updated 09/03/2015, 06:39 PM
© Reuters.  Roger Federer will face Steve Darcis on Thurs. at a U.S. Open beset by early retirements

© Reuters. Roger Federer will face Steve Darcis on Thurs. at a U.S. Open beset by early retirements

Investing.com -- With temperatures spiking above 90 degrees and high humidity permeating throughout the grounds of the U.S. Open on Thursday afternoon, No. 29 seed Jack Sock was forced to retire from his second-round match against Ruben Bemelmans of Belgium after fainting in the fourth set.

Hours later, Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan pulled out of his match against Dominic Thiem of Austria with an elbow injury after trailing by two sets early in the third. The retirement marked the 12th on the men's side since the start of the tournament and 14th overall, the most-ever in the Open era – which dates back to the late 1960s when professionals were allowed to compete in established tournaments. Sock, the second-highest ranked American in the draw, had a 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 2-1 lead when he retired on Thursday.

Trailing 2-1 in the fourth, a woozy, confused Sock was unable to return three straight serves by Bemelmans, as he struggled to remain on his feet. Bemelmans appeared to have won the fourth game of the set when Sock fell to the ground due to an apparent fainting spell. Sock, 22, from Lincoln, Nebraska spent roughly a minute on the bright blue surface before a chair umpire announced his retirement.

Several medical personnel rushed to Sock's side, wrapping chilled towels around his neck and placing ice packs on his midsection to cool his body temperature. As Bemelmans crossed over to Sock's side to console him, the American offered a limp handshake while his eyes closed intermittently. Sock was offered a wheelchair to leave the court, but instead walked off on his accord with the assistance of two members of his entourage.

"I didn't see it coming," Bemelmans said.

While Sock initially began cramping in the second set, his court movement slowed noticeably in the middle of the third set as the cramps intensified. Forced to serve at half-speed late in the third, Sock dropped the final three games of the set, which he dropped 6-3.

It came two days after Thanasi Kokkinakis of Australia retired in the fifth set of his first round match against Richard Gasquet due to excessive cramping.

No. 5 Stan Wawrinka, No. 13 John Isner and No. 15 Kevin Anderson all advanced on Thursday afternoon in straight sets. No. 3 Andy Murray rallied from a two-set deficit to defeat Adrian Mannarino of France in five sets.

On the Women's side, No. 2 Simona Halep, No. 11 Angelique Kerber, No. 16 Sara Errani and No. 20 Victoria Azarenka advanced, but No. 9 Garbine Muguruza was eliminated in three sets.

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