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Feb/17

23

Delray Report: Jack Sock Ready More Success

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By Scoop Malinowski

There were questions and even some doubts if Jack Sock would ever break out of being a perpetual middle-of-the-pack players of the ATP Tour but this year has shown he is making his move. And he’s shaking up the ATP Tour with his monstrous forehand and consistent results.

Here in Delray Beach, Sock, ranked 21 in the world and the highest ranked American, has cruised into the quarterfinals with two dominant wins against Radu Albot and veteran Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, where he will next meet fellow ambitious American Steve Johnson. 27-year-old Johnson is ranked No. 26, is like Sock also on the upswing of his career. Both players are not content lodging in the 20s range of the ATP rankings. They believe they are capable of more, considerably more, especially Sock.

“I just feel confident now and physically feel better than ever,” said Sock earlier this week. “I have a better understanding of my game and can now be the aggressor on my terms. I can now let things go and just move forward.”

Sock will meet Johnson for the ninth time as a professional in the Delray quarterfinal. Sock leads the head to head 5-3 which includes three non ATP main draw matches.

Sock and Johnson were once training buddies who shared a coach in Craig Boynton years ago, but now the two, who are still friends and Davis Cup and Olympic teammates, seem to be keeping a distance as competitors, both wary of letting friendship becoming too close when so much is at stake. Sock has hit this week with his coach Troy Hahn and also Del Potro. Johnson has been seen hitting with various other players as well.

It kind of reflects the old days of Sampras/Courier/Agassi/Chang who rarely if ever trained together and certainly kept their distance at Grand Slams and other tournaments. I still remember seeing Courier playing cards with his buddies at the old US Open player cafeteria in the 90s and one table away sat Pete Sampras by himself, either not interested in interacting with Courier or perhaps it was a mutual yet cold-shouldering for professional, competitive reasons.

Sock and Johnson, as well as John Isner (ranked no. 22) and Sam Querrey (no. 35) all are within striking range of becoming the dominant top American player which is a prestigious status all of them are striving for. “It’s a great achievement for American tennis,” says Sock. “It pushes the guys behind me to do better and not be content to have the best player in the U.S. as low as number 21.”

Sock, who won his second ATP singles title in Auckland in January, has had a busy, successful last twelve months. Earlier this year he lost in the third round at the Australian Open To Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 76 75 67 63 (his best performance in Melbourne) and won two Davis Cup singles matches in Alabama vs Switzerland. Last year he won a gold medal in the Olympics mixed doubles and a bronze in doubles with Johnson and posted his deepest runs at both Wimbledon (third round) and US Open (R16).

It seems Sock, at age 24, is entering his prime and with the experience gained over the last six years on the ATP Tour, he’s eager, hungry and confident that his best tennis performances are ahead. Body and soul are ready for the challenge. “The game is more physical with so many dynamic players. So it’s all about being healthy, taking care of your body and staying in good shape.”

 

 

 

 

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92 comments

  • Hartt · February 23, 2017 at 11:41 am

    I am a fan of Jack Sock, so glad to hear such a positive review.

    Scoop, have you dried out after yesterday’s rain? Have any matches stood out for you so far?

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 23, 2017 at 12:02 pm

    Hartt: I saw the doubles win by Brian Baker and Nikola Mektic yesterday and the practices of Erlich/Lipsky/Sela, Sock, and he two Indians and then the rain came and I went down to South Beach to sell some of my boxing and tennis books at the 5th Street Gym and World Tennis store both on the same block on Alton Road. Both are on sale there now. Most memorable matches so far… Haas vs Basilashvili was interesting because it was so close and hard fought and with drama as Haas got a right leg or foot injury at the end right when he was about to close it out – on top of that I was sitting with Vince Spadea and it was interesting to hear his comments. He said he was 2-3 vs Haas and at the end when it was tight he didn’t like some of their spinny misses into the net but I said it was really close 8-8 in the tiebreaker, he has to play it safe and conservative and can’t go for a rip. Vince said he gave Leonardo Di Caprio ONE lesson but Leo’s skillset was nothing not much to threaten Gavin Rossdale or Jon Lovitz who are both very good. I said I’d like to challenge Rossdale and he said he’d probably do it if it would run for certain in TENNIS Magazine and not on spec. Another great match was the dubs of Erlich and Lipsky beating the defending champs Fabrice Martin and Oliver Marach 76 76 sitting with a good friend of Dudi Sela a coach by the name of Ronen Kash who lives in South Beach and grew up with those guys and Andy Ram who is retired, Erlich is 38 or 39 and still a force. I liked watching Coric practice. The Del Potro match vs Anderson was awesome as I got to watch that with good friends Andy Lake and his wife Kristen, who I first met in Delray the first time I went there and we always get together there or in Miami. Donaldson beating Kukushkin 64 in the third with two straight aces to end it after blowing a 5-0 lead in the third on the far outer court was a great match to see and it was packed. Watching Steve Johnson beast Kozlov was tough because I like Kozlov a lot, and Johnson too. Johnson could be the best mover on the Tour, seriously, the guy is an unbelievable defender and mover. Kozlov’s coach Stanford Boster, who coached both Fish and Roddick when they were 14 and is a former South African rugby player turned tennis coach (interesting story) said he was there when Kozlov beat Johnson last year on grass in S’Hertogenbosch and he said Johnson turned his bad year around vs Gasquet on grass. Johnson was getting whupped by Gasquet and then changed tactics by slicing every forehand and backhand and Gasquet went mental and starting going mental on his coach Grosjean. Johnson ended up winning and that was a turning point for his season and his career. Paes and Lu beat Fritz and Fratangelo in dubs 76 63 and there was a long discussion at the chair after between Lu and the umpire because there were a lot of questionable calls against both teams, witnesses told me (I didn’t see all the calls) and the witness said it was not an American team favoritism but the calls went both ways. Lu was talking nicely for about ten minutes with the umpire at the chair on the court after and the whole time Paes stood there united with Lu his teammate and was talking and shaking hands with other people and fans and he had his young daughter out on court too, the daughter is blonde as his the wife or girlfriend. So many standout memories Hartt! I’m probably forgetting a lot too!

  • Hartt · February 23, 2017 at 12:29 pm

    Thanks, Scoop. I envy you being there and seeing these matches live.

    I did see Basilashvili v Haas and as you say, it was an interesting match. I was rooting for Haas in the twilight of his career, so was disappointed in the outcome. Just saw the end of Tommy’s doubles match with Pospisil against Huey/Mirnyi. Tommy and Vasek lost in straight sets. The last game, in which they were broken, was sad. Vasek kept messing up and then Tommy had a DF and that was it.

  • Andrew Miller · February 23, 2017 at 8:41 pm

    Even the Williams had to find separate coaches and identities. Excellent observation, as the USA men have become even more competitive they get separate coaches. Even for dubs they seek out different players.

  • Andrew Miller · February 23, 2017 at 8:47 pm

    Yes Querrey Wimbledon quarterfinal raised bar. It all began last year in Memphis with Fritz final followed by querrey and Rajeev ram ripping through Delray.

    Is pat McEnroe saying I told you so right about now? Or courier? They both must be pleased to see vets being pushed by young guys, who then push harder to get better.

    In Australia it’s kind of slowed down, but it’s same effect.

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 24, 2017 at 8:29 am

    Andrew: The US Players all like each other as far as I can tell but when it comes to business they are very serious and all in it for themselves – Sock and Johnson will be a vicious dogfight out there today just like there Auckland SF battle earlier this year which was won by Sock – I actually believe Sock-Pospisil doubles duo fell apart shortly after Sock destroyed Pop in singles last year – Johnson and Querrey were a good doubles team together but late last year I saw they both played with different non American partners at the same tournament which would suggest these two are trying to keep a distance between each other because of potential future singles showdowns?

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 24, 2017 at 8:33 am

    Andrew: Great point about Fritz’s run a year ago possibly being the wake up call to all the American ATP players – Fritz achieving more than everybody else had to be a big spark to get everybody going and working harder – nobody with pride wants to be overshadowed by a teenager rookie ATP player – No coincidence that Querrey beat Djokovic and Sock and Johnson got on gigantic roles – I think the US momentum is only going to keep rolling and rolling along like an avalanche with more big results ahead –

  • Andrew Miller · February 24, 2017 at 9:11 am

    Scoop you are right complete pride these guys don’t want to trail the young players lose status Davis cup spots girlfriends wives cars press etc. It’s really fascinating and player for player keeps saying exactly this, that they see the talented generation of younger players matching them shot for shot,giving them tough battles and even beating them or giving them a hard match at regular ATP tournaments and five set battles at slams like Tiafoe Isner and Sock Fritz at Australian and us open. These guys say they look over their shoulder and they read the tea leaves and say RED ALERT!!!
    Now they are for most part bunching up in rankings and that’s not affecting their chemistry and respect for each other but like you said they are peers and on good terms and at same time Fiercely competitive and more so than ever.
    I don’t know if that means one will pull a huge result in Indian wells or Miami or a clay masters. You never know as sometimes this translates into better playing against any competition.

    After all querreys epic win against Djokovic came from a deep belief he could pull it off.

  • Andrew Miller · February 24, 2017 at 9:26 am

    Interesting draw with Raonic and Edmund at top. Raonic probably feels some pressure and the need to clamp down on the field in Delray. I wonder if Edmund will put up enough of a fight or play doormat here to Raonic.

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 24, 2017 at 10:22 am

    I saw Kyle play in Delray and this guy really hits a flat hard deep penetrating speedy ball – I was surprised – Raonic better be on guard –

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 24, 2017 at 1:17 pm

    Sock up a break early vs Johnson 5-4. This is a heavyweight battle on a hot sunny day. Sock is bigger and stronger with the mightier forehand. These two are so close. Five breaks so far. So close. Look at the rankings, both in the 20s. I saw them battle in Sarasota Challenger about four years ago same thing, first match on center court around high noon and Johnson won the first set tiebreak and Sock retired at 2-2 in the second. So close.

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 24, 2017 at 1:22 pm

    Sock takes first set 64 with a strong service hold game including two aces on the ad court and a service winner to the deuce court. Sock seems to be establishing himself this year as the superior of Johnson and Isner. Difference is the Sock serve and forehand are better than Johnson’s with their movement and backhands being relatively close.

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 24, 2017 at 2:30 pm

    Excellent win for Sock vs Johnson. 64 76. Johnson bashed a ball out of the stadium in deep frustration after going down 4-1 in the tiebreaker (hope it didn’t hit anyone). Sock is just a little better. During the match Sock projected an easy going nature as if he was expressing “I know I will win this, the outcome is not in doubt.” Johnson was more blue collar like, working and grinding and very serious, trying urgently to reverse the mental and physical edge that he knows Sock possesses over him. Once again Johnson fell short and the distance between the two has grown further apart. Expect Sock to continue to rise up the rankings to reach the top ten. Johnson can also rise but I don’t believe his highest ranking will ever surpass that of Sock. Next up in the SF for Sock will be Donald Young.

  • Hartt · February 24, 2017 at 4:28 pm

    Thanks for the first-hand account of the match. I saw most of it on TV but that is just not the same as actually being there. Was glad Sock got the win, and agree that he is a future top 10 player.

  • Dan Markowitz · February 24, 2017 at 8:26 pm

    I would not be so quick to project Sock as a future Top 10 player. He is a gutsy player, but two things I think hold him back: he doesn’t have a good backhand and his serve while penetrating, is not an ace machine like a Federer’s or ever Del Po’s. Now if you look in 4 years, Sock will be 28 and Murray, Nadal, Fed, Djoko, Tsonga, Berdy and Monfils will all be out of the picture mostly, I think Sock has a chance to be top 10, but it’s not certain in my eyes.

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 24, 2017 at 8:42 pm

    Dan I think Sock will be TOP FIVE – his serve is a big weapon now – he hits kick serve aces that left Johnson frozen because you can’t read it – Sock hit second serves aces to both wings in the ad court which Johnson was helpless to do anything – Sock’s serve is still getting better – He is just a brute striker of the ball and his footwork is excellent – And he has a natural poise being on the big courts – I truly believe Sock is still a work in progress and he’s still gaining experience and we will see his best work in the future –

  • Hartt · February 24, 2017 at 10:13 pm

    Sock will be at least No. 19 on Monday, a career best. There are several players, such as Gasquet, that he could surpass over the next few weeks, edging closer to No. 10.

  • catherine bell · February 25, 2017 at 3:20 am

    Sometimes when I read these comments I wonder if people are discussing the same player.
    (Has Sock a good serve or hasn’t he ? Will he be top 5 or an also-ran?)

    Maybe we project a lot of our own feelings, hopes, anxieties etc and make judgements based on those.

    I’ve never seen Sock play but I would think he’ll hover around top ten, then drop down and later have one or two surprising upset wins. Because that’s the pattern.

  • Hartt · February 25, 2017 at 6:30 am

    I think a lot of our opinions are subjective even if we like to think they are based on fact. I admit it, I like Jack Sock as a player and that doubtless affects my view on where he will end up. But I did have a look at which players are just above him in the rankings and there are a few that he can pass. Also, when a relatively young player is ambitious, talented and hard-working he or she should continue to improve. They don’t need to be judged purely on their current level of play.

    So here’s to Sock making the top 10! πŸ™‚

  • catherine bell · February 25, 2017 at 7:27 am

    Hartt –

    Yes our opinions of everyone are often coloured by our feelings – that’s natural.

    I didn’t mean to sound dismissive of Jack S – it’s that often I’m intrigued by even experts’ widely differing views. And after a while you can see a pattern in players’ careers – across the board. It’s only now and again people do wildly surprising things.

    I posted below about Angie in Dubai – did you see any of the match ? I know it clashed wih the ATP event.

    Oddly it seems Kerber might have the same knee problem as Simona – on a different leg. Hope it’s not chronic.

  • Hartt · February 25, 2017 at 8:23 am

    I understood your point about how experts have wildly differing views and totally agree with it. Although this is not experts talking, I am often surprised at how differently I saw a match compared to another poster. I am left wondering if we even saw the match. But, in a sense, we did not see the same match because our own biases played a role in how we experienced it.

    I saw most of Angie’s match, and thought she played quite well but that Svitolina was simply better that day. The more I see of Svitolina these days the more impressed I am. Am looking forward to her match against Woz later this morning.

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 25, 2017 at 8:38 am

    Catherine: Kerber was a run of the mill ordinary player for years and years then suddenly her career pattern changed and she got to no 1 in the world – all these other ordinary pack players can also pull a Kerber – Sock Harrison Pouille etc – they all believe –

  • catherine bell · February 25, 2017 at 9:02 am

    Yes – it’s all about belief. Would be interesting to know more about when Kerber pulled the booster switch on herself and how it worked.

    She may have talked about that in interviews but probably in German, which I don’t read.

  • Andrew Miller · February 25, 2017 at 9:37 am

    I think when Kerber hired her coach. Hey she made semifinals. That should boost her belief, practice habits, gym hours, etc.

  • Andrew Miller · February 25, 2017 at 9:40 am

    I appreciate Sock’s urgency. Great players still expose his horrible backhand, which he is acutely aware of. We’ll see – he has time to improve between even now and Indian Wells.

  • catherine bell · February 25, 2017 at 10:11 am

    Andrew –

    Was that her coach Torben ? I thought she sacked him and the re-hired him.
    Maybe it was Steffi. Or just she got fed up with being the Golden Retriever.

    If only Angie could have a serve transplant – preferably a clone of Serena’s πŸ™‚

  • Hartt · February 25, 2017 at 11:38 am

    The only thing I have heard about Kerber “pulling the booster switch” was an interview where she talked about deciding in the 2015 off season that she would try to change her playing style somewhat by becoming more aggressive and that she worked hard to achieve that. Forget where the interview was, it was some time ago now.

  • Dan Markowitz · February 25, 2017 at 1:18 pm

    Little hard to take your opinion seriously Catherine when you admit to never having seen Sock play. He’s an athlete, but I just think his backhand can/is exposed and he really hasn’t had a great result against any top player. I mean look at the last two years: he’s lost rather meekly to Tsonga twice, Thiem, Raonic, Izzie and Agut. He’s only beaten Cilic in straights at the Open and Izzie. (I’m not counting indoor events where he beat Zverev). I mean he lost to Rasol last year at Aussie O and then in the summer to Dr. Ivo, Wawa Coric in Davis Cup, Taro Daniel for goodness sake at the Olympics. He almost lost to Fritz first round at the Open last year, going five sets.

    This is the guy you’re pinning Top 5 on!?

  • catherine bell · February 25, 2017 at 1:52 pm

    Dan –
    My point was theoretical and general which is why I said I hadn’t seen Sock play. From the different comments it’s hard for me to get an idea about how good he actually is.

    I’m certainly not pinning the top 5 on Sock,that was Scoop, who tends to the hyperbolic. I don’t tend to make those kind of predictions, even re players I have seen something of.

    Jack S may make top 20, top 50, brush against top 10, who knows ? From what you say the last seems unlikely, but then Scoop would no doubt disagree.

  • Hartt · February 25, 2017 at 2:39 pm

    Catherine, I understand that your point is theoretical (and one that I agree with) but want to respond to Dan’s view on Sock. Sock is already in the top 20 (in upcoming Monday’s rankings) and will pass Gasquet if he wins against Young today (for the No. 18 spot) and also will be just over 100 points below Kyrgios at No. 17.

    I am not prepared to predict if he can go higher than No. 10, would like him to get there before making any further predictions. Obviously nothing is certain in tennis but I would be very surprised if Sock does not get to No. 10. He is younger than several players, such as Bautista Agut and Berdych who are ranked above him but outside the top 10, so as long as he continues to improve his game time is on his side.

    Am waiting for the Sock v Young match to begin, not long now.

  • Hartt · February 25, 2017 at 2:42 pm

    On a different topic, 22-year-old Elina Svitolona defeated Wozniacki 6-4, 6-2 for the Dubai title, the biggest of her career. The victory puts her in the top 10 on Monday. A young player to keep an eye on.

  • catherine bell · February 25, 2017 at 2:47 pm

    Yes – I followed the match and wasn’t surprised. Don’t rate Caroline that highly although she is a trier and makes the most of her somewhat limited game (I think).

    IW could be extremely interesting this year. I wouldn’t dare make any predictions πŸ™‚

  • Hartt · February 25, 2017 at 5:05 pm

    They are running TV ads for Rogers Cup, which takes place in August. They are showing the usual suspects – Serena, Angie, Genie. But on a sort of sad note they have included Kvitova, probably because she won the title a few years ago. I would dearly love to see Petra this year but realistically, it seems unlikely she will be back playing by then. But it would be great if she were.

  • Hartt · February 25, 2017 at 5:07 pm

    Further to the Jack Sock debate, the commies for today’s match thought that Sock had top 10 weapons but not yet a top 10 head.

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 25, 2017 at 5:10 pm

    Can’t call Sock’s bh horrible it is serviceable and steady and it can strike like a cobra now and again – Sock’s backhand is underrated and that’s good if the ATP players disrespect it because it will bite them – Sock’s serve and forehand were devastating vs Young today – Sock is steadily unleashing kick serve aces – Young could no nothing with Sock’s first serves in the first set but battled hard to a tiebreaker in the second which Sock routinely won despite being down the early mini break – I really believe Sock is in the process of developing into a top ten top five player by 2018 –

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 25, 2017 at 5:13 pm

    Dan: Sock lost a very close tight four setter to Tsonga in Australia this year – his footwork is so quick and efficient that he does not have to hit a lot of backhands and he has a lot of variety and of course lethal power and spin with that forehand – I really see Sock as a very difficult task to beat – and he’s still learning and getting better and developing his game –

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 25, 2017 at 5:16 pm

    Dan knows my player projections are often highly accurate – Dan was there in Delray when I said Nishikori would be top five and this is when Kei was about 50 in the world and still a teenager – Steph myles was there when I said Pospisil would be top 30 and this was when he was very young and hovering around 100 in the world – I called Rios for top five when he was a teenager – I called Rafa to win Wimbledon years before he did – Sock is on his way to top ten or top five – book it –

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 25, 2017 at 5:18 pm

    I first saw Svitolina about four or five years ago at US Open qualies and she was down a set and 0-5 to Larcher De Brito and she fought all the way back and won the match – From that night on I knew she was very special – Unbelievable fighter and very solid consistent baseline ground strokes – Congrats to Elina –

  • Andrew Miller · February 25, 2017 at 7:24 pm

    Sock’s backhand is the worst in top fifty, he is well aware of this and admits this himself. Having seen him from up close I can vouch for the fact that his backhand is unsteady and poorly struck. He has a nice slice, which is part of the backhand, and which he trades reliably with opponents. Other us players with weaker backhands have improved them, and now he has the worst backhand among USA players as well.
    That said.
    Sock runs around his backhand and pounds the forehand. It is actually difficult for many opponents to go after Sock’s backhand because he is deceptively fast and runs around it whip fast to hammer the forehand. He also has a nose for the short ball. This means he plays aggressively and urgently, in a way where his whole game is designed to cover his weakness and take advantage of his strengths.
    He has an excellent kick serve that reminds me of Roddick in terms of its effectiveness. It helps him out if for some reason he isn’t smoking the first serve.
    Good luck to him against Delpo or Raonic tomorrow. That’s a higher order match and Sock has his opportunity to get another win against a big player.

  • Dan Markowitz · February 25, 2017 at 9:13 pm

    I’ll tell you one thing about Sock, doesn’t seem SteveJo or DY are too enamored with him. They both gave him very curt handshakes at the net after their losses to Sock. Jack can be a little Sock-y out there, smiling after calls he doesn’t like (even on the Challenge replay) and his opponents, even the Americans, may think he’s a bit cocky.

    Nothing wrong with that. His attitude on the court is very good usually. Let’s face it, DY and even SteveJo are not top competition. I’d be very surprised if Sock can beat Raonic. He might have shot against Delpo who as Arias says can only chip backhand on passing shot, lob or hit down the line. He’s incapable of hitting a backhand crosscourt passing shot.

    Arias was none too high on both Sock’s tendency to let a ball go without chasing it and his tendency to be impatient in rallies and try not hit enough heavy spin balls to set up the killer forehand. I do like watching Sock volley. He’s got good hands and instincts at the net.

  • Hartt · February 25, 2017 at 10:13 pm

    Milos just won against Delpo so Sock will get his test. Milos leads their h2h something like 8-2 but they usually have close matches. Should be interesting.

    Based on the match against Delpo Milos is still not at his best. I hope he has his best game working tomorrow.

  • Thomas Tung · February 25, 2017 at 10:32 pm

    That match between Raonic and DelPo got tighter than it needed to be in the 2nd set, courtesy of some nerves from Milos going into the tiebreak (DelPo had a nice net cord ball, and a good backhand down-the-line pass, that made it tough, as well).

    But Raonic was strong on serve when he needed to be, and finished the tiebreak in style, with a big ace reminiscent of his hero Sampras.

    Sock doesn’t move nearly as well, and isn’t nearly as determined than DelPo, so, in theory, some of Milos’ game plans against DelPo can give dividends against “Mickey Mantle Jr” tomorrow.

  • catherine bell · February 26, 2017 at 3:46 am

    Well I know a bit more about Sock than I did before so thank you all πŸ™‚

    Hartt – yes, it’s sad about Petra, I just hope she’s progressing as well as can be expected.She’s kind of missed. I’m finding WTA a bit bland – that will change with Sharapova’s reentry – can’t wait πŸ™‚

    Re Rogers Cup – didn’t Simona win last year ? I get the Toronto/Montreal thing a bit confused.
    Be a little sad too if she wasn’t included in the promo – and I think it’s doubtful Serena will turn up this year – depends on how her season turns out I imagine.

  • catherine bell · February 26, 2017 at 3:51 am

    I was going to add – there’s Serena’s season and there’s everyone elses’.

  • Hartt · February 26, 2017 at 6:31 am

    Yes, Simona won over Keys last year. It was in Montreal in 2016 so the women are in Toronto this year. Both fields suffered from withdrawals because the event was held just before the Olympics. And Simona, famously, did not play in the Olympics.

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 26, 2017 at 8:51 am

    Andrew: The Sock backhand has won a Wimbledon title – an Olympic gold medal – an Olympic bronze medal – and over $4 million in career prize money – I can think of hundreds and thousands of tennis players who would love to have that Sock backhand πŸ™‚

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 26, 2017 at 8:58 am

    T2 and Hartt: That was a fascinating match Delpo vs Raonic – I believe it was a very important win for Raonic and moves him another valuable step closer to winning a major – Delpo really wanted this win and as we all know beating Delpo is about as good as it gets in pro tennis because Delpo is right there with Fed Rafa Andy and Djokovic when he is at his best and Delpo is pretty close to being at his best – So Raonic absolutely will feel the extra credit and pleasure from this excellent hard fought win – Delpo fought hard and pushed Raonic at the end and Raonic appeared to waver and flinch at the finish line by double faulting twice at just two points away from the match in the 5-4 30-love game and the tiebreaker double fault – Raonic was feeling the heat from Delpo and the thought entered our and probably his mind that he wasn’t good enough to step over Delpo – but Raonic dug down and showed an extra dimension that he DOES HAVE THE BELIEF and Raonic settled down and finished off the great Delpo – I see this as a very special valuable important win for Raonic and it moved him closer to winning a major which he will eventually do –

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 26, 2017 at 9:35 am

    Kozlov whooped Hyeon Chung in Acapulco qualies 6262 and now faces Donaldson – Harrison beat Ebden 6463 – Fritz and Tiafoe also won and need one more win to get to main draw –

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 26, 2017 at 9:38 am

    Was really impressed by Casper Ruud who got a match point vs Pablo Carreno in Brazil but went for the forehand return winner (well long) and then totally crumbled after that miss – But he showed he has something special all week getting to the semis and handling a top 30 veteran and US Open doubles winner Carreno for two sets – Ruud has now officially entered NEXT GEN which is curiously absent of any young Spaniards –

  • Andrew Miller · February 26, 2017 at 9:42 am

    Scoop I can’t defend the indefensible Sock backhand πŸ˜‰ I’ve said many times that Sock compensates for its weakness in many ways, he reminds me of Courier in terms of his ability to run around it (he SPRINTS around the backhand!). It’s actually quite a sight, so I’d say he’s fully aware of the need to hit as many forehands aa humanly possible.

    And he is a great doubles player for sure. He has developed superb instincts around the net and a knack for looking for put away shots, short balls etc.

    Like Dan I also appreciated Sock’s rapport with the crowd,talking with umps. He puts on a show out there, like a Lebron James who butters up the refs to get favorable calls, but really it just endears him to crowds. It’s the opposite of DY who like Sock also loves the crowd but gets bothered by microevents or too much whispering etc, Harrison is fussy too.

    Jack Sock is like a crowd whisperer! He’s an entertainer and it’s like you are playing a one act show out there or a talk show host. And most of the time he’s shaking his opponent’s hand out there and showing them the exit πŸ™‚

    I think Sock will Sock Raonic. He has come too far with that pitiful backhand in tote to deliver anything other than a message to players in front of them that, despite popular opinion, he’s the best USA men’s player by ranking courage and game.

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