Shanghai doubles champions John Isner and Jack Sock will kick off their singles campaigns in Stockholm on Wednesday. Isner is going up against Juan Martin Del Potro, while Sock is facing Malek Jaziri.
(7) John Isner vs. (WC) Juan Martin Del Potro
Isner and Del Potro will be squaring off for the seventh time in their careers when they clash in round one of the If Stockholm Open on Wednesday. The head-to-head series stands at 4-2 in favor of Del Potro, but Isner has won two in a row after most recently prevailing 7-6(2), 6-4 on the grass courts of Queen’s Club this summer. They had not faced each other since 2013, when Del Potro won a three-setter in the Washington, D.C. title match before Isner got revenge a few weeks later with a 6-7(5), 7-6(9), 6-3 victory in the Cincinnati semifinals.
Del Potro, of course, is in the midst of another comeback following wrist surgery. It has gone better than anyone could have expected, even though the 27-year-old Argentine still has a ways to go before he becomes seeded at Grand Slams. Del Potro is up to 63rd in the rankings thanks in part to a quarterfinal run at the U.S. Open and he would be much higher if the Olympics still awarded points (he won the silver medal in Rio de Janeiro). As for Isner, the 2016 campaign has been a struggle. He is just 26-18 and registers down at No. 27 in the world. Although the 6’10” American lost in the Shanghai first round to Alexander Zverev, he is coming off a long week because he captured the doubles title with Jack Sock. A well-rested and in-form Del Potro should be able to extend Isner’s relative slump.
Pick: Del Potro in 2
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Malek Jaziri vs. (6) Jack Sock
Sock is coming off an outstanding week in Shanghai, where he reached the quarterfinals in addition to triumphing in doubles with Isner. The 23rd-ranked American saved two match points to upset Milos Raonic 0-6, 6-4, 7-6(8) before playing another third-set tiebreaker in the quarters and losing it to Gilles Simon. Sock, who would have entered the top 20 for the first time in his career if he had defeated Simon, is 29-18 for the year and recently advanced to the U.S. Open fourth round.
Up first for the No. 6 seed on Wednesday is a first-ever meeting with Jaziri, who is just eight spots off his career-high ranking at No. 57 in the world. The Tunisian’s Asian swing included a quarterfinal performance in Shenzhen, but he suffered an awful loss to Yasutaka Uchiyama in the opening round of last week’s Ho Chi Minh City Challenger. A quarterfinalist in 2014 and the runner-up last fall, Sock should not have too much trouble continuing his success in Stockholm.
Pick: Sock in 2
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who ya got?
Agree with you for both – Delpo in 2 and Sock in 2. Delpo is a better player than Isner and Sock has played well lately, as well as being up against a lower-ranked opponent.
I’ve got Sock and Delpo going a few rounds here.
Sock and del po in two
Del po gets it done in 2 with 1 tiebreak
I get emotional every time I watch Delpo play these days. What a contrast between the courage and commitment which has enabled him to fight his way back in the sport he loves so much and the way Kyrgios cocks two fingers to all and sundry.
Great win for Delpo, especially as breaking Isners serve is not the easiest thing to do, so happy Delpo came through in straight sets ….
Aye, alison. Vamos Delpo!
Sock just managed to squeeze past Jaziri in a third set TB but he could do with losing some weight – he is looking decidedly portly these days. Surprising considering how much tennis he’s playing: you might think it would burn off some of the excess calories.
Yes… Sock is fat. Apparently eating more than he’s burning off playing, practicing, and working out in the gym. I’d put him on a cross-training program with lots of miles running and cycling. Maybe it’s okay in doubles to be somewhat fat but he’s not going to make a final like that.
final in singles, that is, or be fit for going deep in a GS. Sock, please, get in shape — more cardio less Chipotle and burgers/fries, milkshakes.
Good win for Del Po, and it will do him well if he takes care of business against Almagro, and goes up against Dr. Ivo.
RC Hi left you an e.mail, just wanted to say how much i love your monikor picture, its really cute, and yes BIG VAMOS DELPOOOOOOO 😉 ….
Thanks, alison. Have not got to my email yet – yay, look forward to it.
Don’t get too attached to my picture 😀 it changes like a mood ring.