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Mar/17

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Jack Sock Ready For Third Rumble with Rafael Nadal

Jack Sock pounded his way to a fourth round showdown with Rafa Nadal by routing young American qualifier Jared Donaldson in straight sets. Though there were only four journalist at Sock’s main interview room post match press conference (three journos from US) Sock fielded several questions regarding his seemingly inevitable major breakout win against a Big Four-Big Five colossus (though he did beat Nishikori in Indian Wells last week). Yeah, Sock sounds absolutely reader willing and eager to lumberjack Nadal back to Spain. Take a look at Sock’s pre-match confidence.

Q. How good did you actually feel on the court?
JACK SOCK: Felt pretty good. Feel pretty good now to get through in, you know, an hour. Go out and play some doubles this afternoon, have some fun, and get ready for tomorrow, no matter who I play.

Yeah, I was going out and taking cuts on returns. I don’t think he had his best first serve serving day, but I was going to definitely step up to most second serves – like do with a lot of people, but especially today – and try to make him feel under pressure with that.

I think it paid off. In the second set he threw in some double faults at some crucial times.

Q. Obviously the more matches you win the more you’re going to gain in confidence. Have you ever in your career felt as confident as you’re feeling right now with two titles and this run you’ve had over the last two Masters 1000s?
JACK SOCK: Definitely not. I mean, yeah, the more matches you win the better you feel, the more confident you are.

But whenever you can win titles and play deep into draws — you know, my first semi last week; back it up in a quarter so far this week; hopefully keep progressing. Yeah, physically, mentally never felt better or stronger, so just excited for the rest of the year.

Q. Talk about Facing Nadal?
JACK SOCK: If he does win, I will definitely be looking forward to it, be excited for the battle.

We played in Beijing couple years ago as well. Lost in three sets. Actually had a decent amount of chances there in the third. Might have even been up a break early or had a lot of break points early in the third.

Yeah, I played in his backyard a few years ago, the French. He felt very comfortable will. I think we’re both comfortable on clay or hard. Yeah, either way should be a good battle; should be fun.

I’ll definitely give myself a lot more chance to win this time around than maybe I did a few years ago. I’m 24 years old now and been on tour for a while. I’m playing these matches and hoping I can win and going in believing I can win for sure.

So if he does get through, yeah, I’ll be ready to go tomorrow.

Q. Is there anything in particular that you’re doing in the last six months that’s different, or does it really come down to confidence? Is there something that you changed? Because you are on quite a roll right now.
JACK SOCK: I mean, mentally I think it’s a big part of it. I’ve been trying let things go that happen on court, the adversity, things that are going on. Whether a guy hits a lucky shot or crazy shot or gets on a roll and gets some momentum, just put it aside and focus on the next point in the future.

Just controlling what I can control out there. Not many of those I can control. I can’t obviously control things that happen on the other side of net all the time.

Yeah, putting things aside and keeping a clear mind and just battling.

Q. Is there somebody who told you to do that? Was it something you read? You just figured that out on your own? Someone give you that advice?
JACK SOCK: Obviously my team has been telling me that for a while. It’s a little bit different when you’re out there and things maybe aren’t going your way or something. It’s easy to get frustrated. Over time and experience and years on tour, I think I’ve definitely helped that.

Q. (my question) You’re obviously really close to beating those top guys. Do you think you’re ready to do it right now, or do you think you might need a little extra advice from maybe some kind of coach who really knows exactly what it takes to beat those guys?
JACK SOCK: I think it’s there. I’ve had chances in the past against some of those guys. No, I don’t think I need any more time. I think I’m ready to beat them.

I think it takes a great match obviously on my end. That’s where their experience kicks in. What I’m trying to do with some of the younger guys now, they’ve been doing it for ten plus years now – a lot of them.

Experience definitely is an advantage for them in some of those situations were tennis-wise I think I’m definitely ready to beat them.

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118 comments

  • scoopmalinowski · March 31, 2017 at 3:09 pm

    Dabrowski is very good. Better than expected. I still see that running bh cc winner on match point in my mind on third match point after her double fault and just long approach shot.

  • Hartt · March 31, 2017 at 4:55 pm

    Doubles news: Dabrowski/Xu just won over Hlavachova/Peng so will be in the final. 🙂

  • Andrew Miller · March 31, 2017 at 4:56 pm

    Konta! Oh man. Like Murray, great anticipation. Against Venus, was good to see clash of styles. But against the Woz, and a hug the baseline style, this will be a dragged out slumber party.

  • Andrew Miller · March 31, 2017 at 5:19 pm

    Kyrgios/Zverev Alex, fans seemed excited. ATP has a future after big 4+Stan Wawrinka era. They are also first two nextgenners to break out of the nextgen bubble. Once they start seeing themselves as that top tier peer group, all bets are off.

  • Andrew Miller · March 31, 2017 at 5:22 pm

    Sock and Monroe. I’m pulling for them. I mean Sock wins IW and this is the confidence tank!!! This is why he will break top ten. Because Sock after he loses gets that awful taste of losing out of his system by winning dubs, which then keeps him sharp for next weeks singles tournament. Contrast this with every other USA men’s player – none of them do what Sock does. Maybe Johnson does this also. Point is, Sock knows what he’s doing. He’s going to be in that top ten not only this year, but for the next several years.

  • Scoop malinowski · March 31, 2017 at 5:58 pm

    Monroe just came out to peek on Hingis Chan practice on stadium. Took a selfie w dad or bro and Hingis coach said she would do it. Monroe probably never played on any stadium. Monroe watched perhaps to get some extra inspiration. Aretha Franklin music blaring as Hingis Chan play points. Nick Monroe seeking ultimate respect tomorrow in final. Now Queen Another One Bites The Dust as Queen Hingis rocks court. Mirza Strycova just came on.

  • Andrew Miller · March 31, 2017 at 7:22 pm

    Did this blog inspire Monroe a la Lloyd Carroll?

  • Andrew Miller · March 31, 2017 at 7:58 pm

    Konta! Good footwork and very boring. But hits the daylights out of that versatile backhand. I can only appreciate the merits of her fierceness and never say die approach when she’s up against a hall of famer like Venus. Konta must be in Venus’ head as she’s beat her the same way in two big matches.

  • Andrew Miller · March 31, 2017 at 8:01 pm

    Nadal to win, calling it. He put the hurt on the Fogman. He will likely play Fed to avenge the 2005 Miami loss.

  • Scoop malinowski · March 31, 2017 at 8:33 pm

    Incredible first set by Fed Kyrgios. Doesnt get better than this people.

  • Scoop malinowski · March 31, 2017 at 10:28 pm

    Fed def Kyrgios 766776. Six tiebreakers in two three setters. A new rivalry has birthed tonight.

  • Hartt · March 31, 2017 at 10:39 pm

    Talk about a thrilling tennis match, sometimes a little too thrilling for this Fed fan but have to give kudos to Nick for playing so well, making it so incredibly close.

  • Chazz · March 31, 2017 at 10:48 pm

    That was probably the best match I’ve seen this year other than the AO final.

  • Andrew Miller · April 1, 2017 at 9:22 am

    Nick Monroe: From TP Blog Target to IW champion…

  • Andrew Miller · April 1, 2017 at 11:10 am

    Prediction: Woz d. Konta, Nadal d. Federer. Why: Woz has been playing top ball since US Open and is better than she’s ever been, her best tennis is better than Konta’s best for now. Why Nadal last chance to win Miami

  • Scoop malinowski · April 1, 2017 at 2:45 pm

    Kyrgios was yelling f you and stfu to fans from beginning of match. So he was playing against the Goat and the stadium full house and he still almost won. Incredible display by both. Nick must realize he cant be distracted by fans and waste valuable energy on sideshow extracurricular activities. Fans willed Fed to win. Fans support for Fed was the difference. Same thing happened to George Foreman and Sonny Liston vs Ali. Will elaborate more later….

  • Scoop malinowski · April 1, 2017 at 3:01 pm

    You have sharp memory Andrew to remember that exchange of words with Monroes brother and Dan several yrs ago. Its fantastic to see Nick having this late career success. Its inspiring to all. Victor Estrella like inspiring.

  • Hartt · April 1, 2017 at 3:04 pm

    So Konta got the win over Wozniacki. Have not seen her play often but she looks like she is on the way up.

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