The time is right for Jack Sock to shock the world at Roland Garros.
Sock has impressively destroyed Dimitrov, Busta Carrena and Coric in Paris, setting the stage for a clash of forehand titans on Court Philippe Chatrier in the fourth round at Roland Garros.
Sock is a big time player now, he’s proven it by winning Houston this year and Wimbledon doubles last year. It’s just a matter of time before Sock pulls off that big major monster win that becomes the talk of tennis.
And it could come soon. Very soon.
I believe Sock is ready to do it. I think has that belief in himself. He certainly has the weapons, the fitness and the mental intangibles. He also has inside information about how to beat Rafa in a major – from his good buddy Nick Kyrgios who slayed Rafa at Wimbledon last year.
It won’t be easy and it won’t be pretty. But I just have a sneaking suspicion that Sock is more than ready for this Herculean challenge. And he’s going to shock the world by knocking off Rafa Nadal.
I always remember Ted Tinling saying to John Feinstein in the book Hard Courts that he felt seventeen year old Monica Seles was ready to beat Graf and win the French Open. And Seles fulfilled Tingling’s prophecy, winning the French Open.
I have had that similar kind of feeling about Sock for the last two months. Over a month ago, I commented Sock could upset Nadal at the French Open. I also said it to another writer Richard Pagliaro.
Now here we are, the Sock vs. Nadal match up in Paris has arranged itself.
Just an educated guess, and feeling. Sure, Sock will be a massive underdog. But I like his chances. A lot. Let’s see what happens.
——————-
Sock quotes on red clay and playing Rafa:
“Clay maximises my game. I can set up and dictate with the forehand. Serving definitely gets up. It definitely makes my shots a little more lethal. I’m very comfortable on it.”
“I’m excited to see the forehand-to-forehand battle. We are both going to be trying to do similar things. It will be pretty interesting to see the game plans going on. It will be a chess match – who can find the forehand first and open up the court. I will have to be thinking on every shot, every point. It will be tough, and it will be fun.”
No tags
Scoop Malinowski · May 30, 2015 at 7:00 pm
Let’s see if Sock can make me look like a tennis guru like Ted Tinling…or a dummy 🙂
Gaurang · May 31, 2015 at 2:55 pm
Haha. Sock definitely has talent to make big upsets. But this is the mother of all upsets we are talking about here. Rafa Nadal at Roland Garros!!!!!! Rafa has won this tournament 9 out of last 10 times. Lost just one match to Soderling (Uncle Toni shouts from behind: “even that was due to knee injury”).
Sock would have to pull the biggest upset in the history of tennis. That’s a little bit too much to ask for. But if his shots somehow start falling in, I think sock can definitely trouble Rafa a bit. (Maybe win a set)
q10 · May 31, 2015 at 10:16 pm
while it would be great for Sock to win, I can’t imagine it happening unfortunately
Bryan · June 1, 2015 at 2:37 am
Can Sock do it? I think the situation is ripe for it. Nadal’s game is erratic, he’s had his worst spring in memory. Sock has had a nice clay season, winning the US Clay title and in good physical shape. Their two career arcs could be set to cross each other.
Monday 7am PST is the estimated start time. Can’t wait.
Bryan · June 1, 2015 at 2:40 am
“Rafa Nadal at Roland Garros!!!!!! Rafa has won this tournament 9 out of last 10 times.”
Rafa at Madrid was an immovable force. Majors are different from Masters tournaments, but if the stars ever lined up for Sock to blow up a major it’s now.
Scoop Malinowski · June 1, 2015 at 7:59 am
I hear you q ten, but I can imagine Sock bursting out and playing the match of his life, blasting forehands and stunning Nadal with his power. With Nadal looking at Toni, saying like WTF. Sock has a weapon that Rafa has never seen before. I really believe Sock is ready for this. We will soon see.
Scoop Malinowski · June 1, 2015 at 8:06 am
Bryan, Rafa has looked very good so far, nice standard blowout win vs. Kuznetsov. Looked like prime Rafa though of course Kuznetsov isn’t much of a challenge on red clay. I think Sock is ready for this, ready to show the world the singles greatness he has inside him.
Rafa · June 1, 2015 at 6:32 pm
Good call on Sock.
Scoop Malinowski · June 1, 2015 at 8:54 pm
Hey he got a set off Rafa, nobody else did this fortnight. Slow start. Good learning experience. Bright future for Sock.
Jack Sock · June 2, 2015 at 3:31 am
Hey Rafa, Sock here. You escaped this time, will see you next time!