David Ferrer will be aiming for a place in the Auckland semifinals when he takes the court against Lukas Rosol on Thursday. Kevin Anderson and Jack Sock are also in action.
(1) David Ferrer vs. Lukas Rosol
Ferrer and Rosol will be going head-to-head for the sixth time in their careers when they collide in the quarterfinals of the ASB Classic on Thursday. Not too surprisingly, Ferrer has won all five of their previous encounters. The 33-year-old Spaniard has been utterly dominant against Rosol–perhaps to an even greater extent than the 5-0 margin suggests. Ferrer is 10-1 in total sets and only one of his 10 victorious sets has progressed to a tiebreaker. The two veterans faced each other twice last season, with Ferrer cruising in both Miami and Beijing.
It has already been an impressive week for Rosol, who is still alive in both singles and doubles (in the quarterfinals with John Isner). The 54th-ranked Czech, who advanced one round last week in Chennai, has taken out Guillermo Garcia-Lopez and Benoit Paire in straight sets. Ferrer bounced back from an opening loss in Doha to Illya Marchenko for his first victory of the 2016 campaign (6-2, 6-4 over Matthew Barton on Wednesday). As their past history indicates, this is a terrible matchup for Rosol. Ferrer is one of the best returners in the game and he can easily break down the underdog’s one-dimensionality.
Pick: Ferrer in 2
[polldaddy poll=9270227]
(4) Kevin Anderson vs. Jack Sock
Sock easily disposed of his doubles partner in round two and should be inspired to continue steamrolling his way through the bracket with that relatively uncomfortable situation out of the way. The 26th-ranked American at least managed to get it over with quickly, as he beat Vasek Pospisil 6-2, 6-4 in one hour and 15 minutes. That was preceded by a 6-0, 6-4 beatdown of Victor Estrella Burgos that required a mere 49 minutes.
Next up for Sock is a third career meeting with Anderson. The head-to-head series stands at 1-1 following a pair of 2015 encounters. Sock prevailed 7-6(3), 6-3 on the clay courts of Houston before Anderson scored revenge in the form of a 6-3, 7-6(7) victory on the hard courts of Cincinnati. The 6’8” South African withdrew from last week’s event in Chennai because of a knee injury, but he kicked off his season with a 7-6(8), 7-6(5) defeat of Robin Haase on Wednesday. Anderson turned in a solid but unspectacular performance, mostly benefiting from Haase’s continued ineptitude in tiebreakers. Sock is simply in superior form right now and will have no trouble matching Anderson’s power game.
Pick: Sock in 3
[polldaddy poll=9270228]
who ya got?
Ferrer in three and sock in two
yep. what Benny said.
Vamos Ferru!
Vamos Jack!
This season Sock should fully concentrate on singles.better for Sock and Pospisil to do off court tough work together whenever possible.
I don’t necessarily disagree.
but it would be bad for fans and for doubles if PopSock ended. But yes, it would help them for singles (especially Pospy).
My sentiments exactly. Hate to see PopSock end. But I thought they both maintained that their singles careers came first.
I think Anderson could take Sock especially on a hard court which they both prefer. Ferrer in two sets, that’s a banker.
Anderson still a bit rusty. He was not very good against Haase.
Yesssss
Sock
Ferru
vamos!!
called it
once in awhile 😀
haha!
Do you???