Fellow Americans Jack Sock and Tim Smyczek will be aiming for places in the Houston semifinals on Friday. They are going up against Marcos Baghdatis and Feliciano Lopez, respectively, during quarterfinal action.
(4) Jack Sock vs. (7) Marcos Baghdatis
Sock boasts only one ATP title in his career and it came at this same U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship last year. The 25th-ranked American’s defense of the trophy got off to a strong start on Thursday, when he dismissed qualifier Matthew Barton 6-2, 7-6(5). Sock is a disappointing 8-6 on the season, but he has at least managed to win his opening match at five of six tournaments.
Up next for the fourth seed on Friday is Baghdatis, who appears to be nothing short of on fire in Houston. The 30-year-old Cypriot whitewashed Diego Schwartzman 6-0, 6-0 during first-round action before taking out Fernando Verdasco 6-4, 6-3 on Thursday night. Baghdatis’ stellar season includes 10 match victories and a runner-up showing in Dubai. A confident seventh seed should be able to maintain his hot streak even on a surface that slightly favors his opponent.
Pick: Baghdatis in 3
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(WC) Tim Smyczek vs. (3) Feliciano Lopez
Lopez and Smyczek will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers on Friday. Their only previous encounter came two years ago on the hard courts of Toronto, where Lopez got the job done 7-5, 6-4. The 24th-ranked Spaniard has enjoyed a routine week so far in Houston, where he earned a first-round bye as the No. 3 seed before taking care of Lukas Lacko 7-6(4), 6-1 on Thursday. Lopez is a mediocre 9-7 for the season and looking to make amends for an opening loss in Miami to Yoshihito Nishioka.
Smyczek endured a disastrous second half of 2015, but he is suddenly enjoying one of the most productive hot streaks as a professional. The world No. 125 successfully qualified in both Indian Wells and Miami before reaching the last 32 at the latter event. He has parlayed this week’s wild card into victories over Nicolas Kicker and Donald Young. If Smyczek pulls off a quarterfinal upset, he will propel himself back to the cusp of the top 100. This should be a relatively competitive contest on a surface that does not favor either competitor, but Lopez’s superior ability to win free points on serve may end up being the difference.
Pick: Lopez in 3
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who ya got?
Sock and Feli in three
Marcos and Lopez… He beat Verdasco… never watched it but I didn’t expect that against Nando on clay albeit he does lead the h2h
Baghdatis and Feli.
Damn this is a tough choice. On one hand you got the defending champion vs. a man possessed this season. My 50-50 rule is always stick with the Underdog.
Baghdatis in 3
Not looking too good for Baghdatis. Looks like Sock has been getting plenty of time on this surface to run around his backhand. Also Baghdatis has too many unforced errors =/
Big John could be in some trouble