CARY, NC – With every match Jack Sock and Catherine Parenteau play together, it’s becoming increasingly clear the sixth-seeded pair is growing stronger.

Sock and Parenteau defeated the No. 12 seeds Callie Smith and Jay Devilliers 11-5, 12-10 in the Round of 16 on Thursday, solidifying a spot in the quarterfinals at the North Carolina Cup.

“We kept telling ourselves to keep smiling and have fun,” said Sock. “We played a really solid first game, but we knew it was going to be tougher in the second one. I felt like Jay and Callie played really well in that second game, which made for an interesting end, but I could count on my partner to carry me and get us over the finish line.” 

Sock is still a relative newcomer to the professional pickleball ranks, especially compared to Parenteau, who turned pro in 2016. 

The Canadian has certainly taught the former tennis star a few things along the way.

“I just remind him how good he is, because sometimes he forgets,” said Parenteau. “He impresses me at every tournament.”

Up next for Sock and Parenteau is a head-to-head battle with Tina Pisnik and Dekel Bar, who previously ousted fourth-seeded Tyson McGuffin and Meghan Dizon.