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Nov/17

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Was this the long-awaited singles breakout by Sock?

123 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Scoop

sock

By Scoop Malinowski

For years now Jack Sock has thrilled tennis observers with his firepower, potential and special capacity to play his best tennis in some of the biggest events like Wimbledon, US Open and the Olympics.

Sock’s signature performances all were achieved in the doubles arena – but that all changed today when Sock won the prestigious Paris Indoors Masters 1000 title 67 64 61 vs Filip Krajinovic.

Suddenly Sock has vaulted up the rankings from 22 all the way to 8, and into the ATP World Tour Finals next week in London.

Sock winning a Masters 1000 title is a monumental achievement. Keep in mind Yevgeny Kafelnikov, winner of two majors, an Olypmic singles gold medal and Davis Cup, never won a Masters Series title in his illustrious career.

It took a long while but finally the 25-year-old Sock appears to have matured, developed and figured out the ATP World Tour puzzle pieces and how they fit together to capture significant singles titles.

The big forehand, serve, variety, drop shots, backhand slices, net rushes and point construction are all working in unison and when they are Sock has the arsenal to slay dragons, any dragons out there.

There has been major hints in recent months of a balance of power shift in the ATP, with the elite pantheon aging and showing signs of decline – and plenty of younger, heavily armed revolutionaries ready to seize power in the ATP top ten.

Sock is in prime position to continue a massive assault and charge up the rankings to the top five in 2018 – or perhaps even next week in London if he can string together a few wins which would vault him further up the rankings above and beyond 8.

There has been a lot of doubts, a lot of criticism and skepticism about Sock’s potential as a singles player but all of that cynicism has been completely silenced today.

Winning his first Grand Slam singles title in 2018 just became a very achievable goal for Sock and you better believe every man in the ATP top hundred now views Sock as a serious Grand Slam singles title contender.

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123 comments

  • Duke Carnoustie · November 5, 2017 at 7:11 pm

    Career-defining victory for Sock. He was quick to mention it was his first trip with the new gf and how much he wanted to be with her.

    Here is her Instagram …
    https://www.instagram.com/micburn/

    The worst thing Sock can do is get married but he needs to ride this out with the new gf.

  • Duke Carnoustie · November 5, 2017 at 7:12 pm

    Sock had to cancel a golf trip at Augusta National for London. I think he may win it all in London, why not.

  • Scoop Malinowski · November 5, 2017 at 7:17 pm

    Scoop Malinowski writes:

    It's been said "love has no fear" and Sock is looking fearless now. Sock has matured and gained experience but maybe just maybe this new wonder girl has been the missing ingredient. She deserves a lot of credit for whatever she is doing and how she is inspiring him, maybe more so than Berger.

  • Scoop Malinowski · November 5, 2017 at 7:19 pm

    Scoop Malinowski writes:

    He could win London for sure. Nobody seems to be as inspired as Sock right now who is mightily motivated to keep impressing and exciting his new love. I would guess most of the other eight players are not as inspired right now as Sock.

  • Chazz · November 5, 2017 at 7:23 pm

    I admit I was getting tired of his act. But he is way more fun to watch now because he is limiting most of the BS, he’s focused on winning, and you can’t count him out if he is trailing in a match. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come and he doesn’t revert to the Sock of late spring and summer.

  • Scoop Malinowski · November 5, 2017 at 7:41 pm

    Scoop Malinowski writes:

    I really believe the love connection with Micala Burns is the missing element. Now Sock has that extra incentive, extra motivation, extra inspiration. To show his sweetheart that he is The Man. If you look at the instagram tha Duke shared, it's quite clear Sock is smitten. And when you bring your girl to a tennis match you do not want to lose. Apparently, this young lady was a freshman at Florida Atlantic Univ last year so I presume she has dropped out of school to join her new beau. Sock is not going to waste time with ordinary results. Sock is going to go on rampage now, like King Kong trying to impress Fay Wray in the jungle, book it. Two majors for Sock in '18!!

  • Hartt · November 5, 2017 at 8:13 pm

    I was very happy that Sock made the top 10, but actually he will be ranked No. 9 on Monday, Goffin is No. 8. Because Stan is not playing London the No. 9 player gets in.

  • Chazz · November 5, 2017 at 8:51 pm

    Did anyone see that Smyczek beat Sandgren for the Charlottesville challenger title? He also beat Kozlov along the way. Pretty surprising, he was unseeded in the tournament.

  • scoopmalinowski · November 5, 2017 at 10:00 pm

    Smee was on fire up 5-0 on Kozlov in first set. Smee won in three then beat Sandgren also in three. Smees been slumping but hes back now. Big win for Tim.

  • Front242 · November 6, 2017 at 1:51 am

    Bandwagon much? :p With Murray and Djokovic back shortly and the others also improving the only major I see for him next year is major disappointment. If Sock wins 2 majors or even 1 (neither of which will happen) next year, I'll gladly quit my job, sell my house, car and everything else I own. But it won't happen. He got lucky this week with no Federer, no Nadal, no Djokovic and no Murray and that's all there is to it. He seized the opportunity and good for him.

  • catherine · November 6, 2017 at 3:06 am

    I’m not starting a bonfire here but I gather the draw ceremony in Milan featuring models with numbers etc reached new lows in tackiness and bad taste. Who organises these things ?

    The WTA draw ceremonies are bad enough without the ATP jumping in as well.

  • El Dude · November 6, 2017 at 4:25 am

    Off the top of my head, here are a list of players that I see as more likely to win a Slam next year:

    Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Murray, Wawrinka, Zverev, Cilic, Thiem, Del Potro, Kyrgios, Raonic, Nishikori, Dimitrov, Tsonga

    I suppose the last three or four are similar, but that's 9-14 players that I think have at least as good a chance as Sock.

    I'd put Sock in a group with Goffin, Carreno Busta, Pouille, maybe Tsonga at this point, as super long shots to win a Slam. In truth, the only way any of these guys win–aside from if Tsonga has the tournament of his life–is if they face a similar player across the net, and both had some luck avoiding top players through walkover or some such.

  • mrzz · November 6, 2017 at 5:14 am

    Front242 said:

    ↑

    the only major I see for him next year is major disappointment.Click to expand…

    hahahahaha, too good! I completely understand the folks who hate you, Front!!!

  • catherine · November 6, 2017 at 6:02 am

    Hartt –
    I notice Denis S is getting himself involved in Vogue shoots and all that stuff – I hope he can keep his feet on the ground.

    This time of the year nice-looking players who aren’t playing turn up in fashion spreads. Petra in Czech Cosmo – Kvitova seems to float on those things – really enjoys them and thrives on the attention – maybe doesn’t take it all too seriously.

    Kerber was doing the same last year but those activities didn’t turn out well for her.

  • Hartt · November 6, 2017 at 6:46 am

    Catherine, I think the folks around Denis will keep a lid on things. According to Denis they spent a couple hours on hair and makeup for the model, but no time on him, the poor kid!

    I know this stuff because a tennis site did a piece on 3 tennis players in fashion magazines. Kvitova was even on the cover of the Czech “Cosmopolitan.”

    Dimitrov is featured in “L’Uomo Vogue” looking like a real model.

    Denis is doing a Denis-type leap playing ping pong behind the model in “Vogue.” There was a link in the article to a tweet of a little girl, who looks about 5, going as Denis on Halloween. She even had the cap right. Denis had responded, so he obviously had seen the pics. The fun side of being a budding superstar.

    But even his “normal” life is pretty amazing. He said he got to see some of the old town of Basel and it reminded him of Prague. How many North American 18-year-olds can compare Basel and Prague? When he landed it Milan, it was worthy of media coverage. He said he loved Italian food and good coffee, so he was looking forward to the cappuccinos. I can’t even imagine what his life is like these days. 🙂

  • Hartt · November 6, 2017 at 7:09 am

    Further to Denis, he has one goal that I think is great. “My goal is to raise the level of Canadian tennis and just have more kids picking up a racquet instead of a hockey stick . . . . It’s really inspiring for me.” He goes on to say that it makes him want to keep working hard and hopefully some kids will want to be like Milos, Vasek “or even me.” Milos, Vasek and Genie contributed to a much greater interest in tennis in Canada and I think Denis, with his charisma, is perfect to continue that work.

  • catherine · November 6, 2017 at 7:22 am

    Hartt – I did see that piece on the fashion shoots which why I wrote about Denis, and also about Petra 🙂

    (I see most things – do a site sweep am if I’m not busy)

    Denis sounds as though he will be ok. He seems an intelligent boy who won’t get swept away because he’s experience the publicity and pressure at a young age and has a good family. It’s when it comes later – that can be a problem.

  • Scoop Malinowski · November 6, 2017 at 8:04 am

    Scoop Malinowski writes:

    Catherine; I saw the video of that draw ceremony with the models and it gets an A for creativity but a C for campyness 🙂 At least it's good to see tennis trying to things and breaking traditions which is rare for tennis.

  • Scoop Malinowski · November 6, 2017 at 8:07 am

    Scoop Malinowski writes:

    El Dude; How many players would you have listed as more likely to win Paris Indoors last week? About fourteen? See? You can't play that game. Tennis is unpredictable sometimes, draws don't play out by the book or seed designations. Sock has proven time again he has the power and the special factor that he can shock and awe the tennis world. I see no reason why he can't do it again next year in a major or two or three.

  • britbox · November 6, 2017 at 8:21 am

    Sock's got no chance of winning a major Scoop. "Sock has proven time again he has the power and the special factor that he can shock and awe the tennis world"

    Really? He's a decent top end journeyman and I don't mean that disrespectfully – he took the opportunity when it presented itself… against a guy outside the Top 30 in a weak field over the 3 set format. Let's put things in perspective.

  • catherine · November 6, 2017 at 8:31 am

    Scoop – I don’t whether that draw ceremony was actually ‘breaking a tradition’ – seems a very old tradition to me 🙂 I also thought some of the guys looked a bit uncomfortable.

    My guess is they won’t be repeating that bright idea next year, if there is a next year.

  • Hartt · November 6, 2017 at 8:35 am

    Regarding Denis, I hope I am not being naive, but I think he will continue to be OK. Right now Tennis Canada and coach Martin Laurendeau have a lot of influence, as well as his mother. As you said, things could change later on, but I think having a good, solid foundation will stand him in good staid. Bouchard did get caught up in all the early attention, and that is also a lesson for young Canadian players.

  • Hartt · November 6, 2017 at 8:38 am

    Catherine, I see I misunderstood your last sentence. Yes, in a way it is good that this attention for Denis has come now, (rather than later on), when he still has those strong influences that I mentioned.

  • Federberg · November 6, 2017 at 9:13 am

    But he's so on point though! Can't believe this is even being discussed, we're not even talking about someone at a Petr Korda type level

  • catherine · November 6, 2017 at 9:49 am

    ATP in full grovel mode over draw ceremony in Milan. Didn’t anyone know what was being planned ? Wasn’t there a rehearsal ?

    Red Bull was one of the sponsors – a banned substance surely 🙂

  • Scoop Malinowski · November 6, 2017 at 9:57 am

    Scoop Malinowski writes:

    Britbox: US Open mixed doubles title. Wimbledon doubles title. Olympic silver medal in doubles. Olympic gold medal in mixed doubles. Paris Masters 1000 title in singles. Multiple Masters 1000 doubles title. "Top end journeymen"? Sock is inching closer and closer to Hall of Fame career. Yes I believe he has the potential to win a major singles title or two or three. The best is yet to come with Sock.

  • Scoop Malinowski · November 6, 2017 at 9:58 am

    Scoop Malinowski writes:

    Catherine; if there's any blame it's maybe the campy behavior of the models. They were really hamming it up and maybe that explains some of the players looking a bit awkward and stunned. Looked like some of those girls were drunk.

  • Scoop Malinowski · November 6, 2017 at 10:02 am

    Scoop Malinowski writes:

    Shapovalov may be being overexposed. Which makes him a bigger target with a bigger X on his back. Forging an ATP career at such a young age is hard enough because no one will give him any free sets or points. Everyone is extra motivated to put the whippersnapper in his proper place which is low down the rankings. We are seeing some bad losses lately by Denis to veteran and journeymen level players. I'm very curious to see how he performs in Milan.

  • britbox · November 6, 2017 at 10:34 am

    Sock is nowhere near a hall of fame career.

  • Hartt · November 6, 2017 at 11:21 am

    The ATP must be furious that so much attention is going to the draw ceremony, which was beyond cringe-worthy, in the words of one poster. Of course the media are having a field day! The ATP wants the attention on these young players and all the rule changes. I imagine things will calm down when the matches begin. But I hope the ATP and other similar organizations have learned something from this experience.

  • Hartt · November 6, 2017 at 11:27 am

    Scoop, I am not surprised about Denis’ recent losses, that is pretty typical for a young player – they are not especially consistent. He already had a big X on his back. As his manager said even before the USO, no one wants to lose to a kid.

    I am excited about the youngsters because of their potential, I don’t expect big results from them now. When they do have a big win, or win a couple matches in a row, that is a bonus. The next year will be a time for Denis to improve his game and to learn how to manage being on the Tour from week to week. He will have to cope with the fact that players will be gunning for him. He seems to have guts, so don’t think he will be intimidated.

  • Hartt · November 6, 2017 at 11:31 am

    Regarding Jack Sock, I was one of the few who thought he could make the top 10 this season, so obviously I think he is a skilled player. But, until Paris, his biggest wins were in doubles. So next year he will need to show what he can do in singles over an entire season. I hope he can remain in the top 10 when all the “big boys” are back next season, but that will be the real test.

  • Scoop Malinowski · November 6, 2017 at 12:05 pm

    Scoop Malinowski writes:

    britbox; I just voted on the 2018 Newport Hall of Fame election and nominated and on the ballot were the following players: Anders Jarryd, Michael Stich, Helena Sukova, Pat Cash and Tom Okker. Do you Sock's (incomplete) career far less or in the range of Jarryd's career? Jarryd won 8 singles titles and 88 Grand Slam doubles titles and was no. 1 in doubles in 1985 and he won 59 doubles titles. Sock is arguably the best doubles player in the world now and he has another ten years to add to his already impressive list of achievements.

  • Scoop Malinowski · November 6, 2017 at 12:09 pm

    Scoop Malinowski writes:

    Hartt; The draw ceremony is attracting a lot of media attention to this inaugural event which is a very good thing. Now if a stripper runs across the court at the event, the press attention will be even greater. We should all hope this innovative new event will succeed and just accept the creative ways they are marketing and promoting it, instead of complaining about superficial trifles.

  • Scoop Malinowski · November 6, 2017 at 12:13 pm

    Scoop Malinowski writes:

    I think Sock can do it. Who expected Isner to stay in the 10-20 range for eight years in row?

  • catherine · November 6, 2017 at 1:04 pm

    Scoop – I think the time has come and gone when streaking (remember that ?) at an event will attract appropriate press interest 🙂

    Anyway, the ATP has said sorry so attention will now move to the court.

    I’m not sure about this NextGen stuff. What’s the point of young players playing each other ? They’re not in the juniors any more.
    All good publicity etc but essentially a bit meaningless. I’m more bothered about fiddling with the rules.

    Only one woman in HoF ballot ? I’m not complaining but is that unusual ?

  • Joe Blow · November 6, 2017 at 1:18 pm

    Agree Catherine:

    This is basically the draw for a 250 event. They don’t generate much excitement ( except Newport of course), nor will this new scam tourney.

    All the season is too long huey, then they sign up for Next Gen, or IPTL, then someone gets a pulled muscle in Adelaide,and the complaint that the season is too long starts bellowing from the Talking Heads( not David Byrne)

  • Scoop Malinowski · November 6, 2017 at 1:29 pm

    Scoop Malinowski writes:

    Mary Pierce is conspicuously absent from the ballot and it's an injustice for yet another year. I like the NEXTGEN finals concept for several reasons. It gives the young players a special stage to shine and gauge their progress against each other. It also is an opportunity to earn cash, which most of the young players fresh out of juniors are struggling to earn after investing a fortune in the very costly junior career expenses. Plus this event will crown a new King in a sense, the King of under 21 players. I wish they had one of these events back around 1990 when Agassi Chang Pete and Andre were blossoming.

  • Federberg · November 6, 2017 at 1:34 pm

    Sorry… are you talking about a HoF career or winning a slam. There's a chasm between the two achievements. As you've pointed out you could get into the HoF on doubles alone. But what does that have to do with winning a slam? What does winning Paris Bercy have anything to do with winning slams? It's the trash can of Masters Series titles

  • Doug Day · November 6, 2017 at 2:31 pm

    3rd set started and Sock nails a down the line pass winner from one sideline then with a stunning symmetry, the other. He stands stock still, absorbed among the parisians…”Jeu.” Au contraire mon frere. Not just “game”. In westerns thats what the gunfighters call “measuring for the coffin.”

  • Duke Carnoustie · November 6, 2017 at 3:15 pm

    No question, Scoop. No man wants to look stupid in front of a woman, particularly his woman. Having Michala there has forced Sock to focus on his tennis and not the nonsense he is usually known for.

    We have seen how integral Mirka is to Fed and Xisca to Rafa and how Jelena boosted Novak – until their marital woes wrecked his concentration. The smartest thing a tennis player can do is NOT date a fellow tennis player; you need someone focused on you the while time and not your own career.

    Sock’s girl clearly is just a budding Instagram model with no claim to fame so she is willing to sit through every match – reportedly was even at his doubles matches on this trip. Her commitment to Sock is exemplary and we need her on the team for Davis Cup for sure.

  • Duke Carnoustie · November 6, 2017 at 3:21 pm

    Catherine, the draw ceremony was silly because we are supposed to be celebrating these players and not the stupidity of the ATP. I agree that the girls were trying too hard (as many women do) to be the center of attention and that was dumb. Yes probably drunk or on drugs in the Milanese vein. The look on Hyeon Chung’s face was priceless.

    Sad to hear that Denis is getting a big head but it can’t be avoided. Europe is very glamorous.

    Donaldson needs some wins in this event otherwise I think it will wreck his confidence further. I kinda like Chung to win it.

  • jg · November 6, 2017 at 4:02 pm

    I hope the Italian wild card wins it ( or at least one match) I agree, I think Chung will win it. I think the challenger in Knoxville is more interesting anyway.

  • Duke Carnoustie · November 6, 2017 at 6:04 pm

    Interestingly Del Potro has never won a Masters. Losses in three finals to bums named Murray, Nadal and Djokovic.

    Had Roger played Paris, he may have been No. 1 but he is allergic to the city apparently.

  • catherine · November 7, 2017 at 2:15 am

    Duke – I’m just trying (too hard) to be the centre of attention here 🙂

  • Scoop Malinowski · November 7, 2017 at 12:57 pm

    Scoop Malinowski writes:

    kafelnikov never won a masters either.

  • catherine · November 7, 2017 at 1:08 pm

    Hartt –
    How did Denis come to lose to Chung ? I know Chung’s good.

  • Front242 · November 7, 2017 at 1:20 pm

    scoop said:

    ↑

    Scoop Malinowski writes:

    kafelnikov never won a masters either.Click to expand…

    He won 2 singles slams and was world number 1. That trumps anything Sock will likely ever do in singles.

  • Hartt · November 7, 2017 at 1:56 pm

    Chung was very good today, very consistent. Denis won the first set, but then Chung began playing better, winning the long rallies, etc. Denis, of course, is very aggressive and goes for his shots, no matter what. That is a problem if those shots are not going in. He started to make a lot of UFEs, especially on his FH. His serve bailed him out several times – he had 12 aces, but also 5 DFs.

    There were some terrific rallies, with both players making some amazing shots. Both also had some nice volleys. So, overall, it was an entertaining match.

    But I don’t like the first to win 4 games wins the set, and a TB at 3-3. It means a lot of TBs.

  • Doug Day · November 7, 2017 at 2:59 pm

    Tennis tiebreak is the greatest achievement in sport.

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