Madrid R1 preview and prediction: Paire vs. Sock

First-round action in Madrid will wrap up with an enticing schedule on Tuesday. It includes a showdown between Benoit Paire and Jack Sock. Adam Leigh previews the contest.

Frenchman Benoit Paire will run into American Jack Sock for the first time in their careers Tuesday, when they meet in the first round of the Mutua Madrid Open. Both players are in the midst of mixed 2016 campaigns–with each reaching the business end of 250-point and 500-point events on a couple of occasions, interspersed with disappointing exits from tournaments at which they received favorable early-round draws.

Sock is somewhat of an outlier for an American player in that he often produces some of his best tennis on clay despite having relatively limited exposure to the surface prior to arriving on the ATP Tour level. Paire is perfectly adept on slower courts, as well, although his inconsistencies and mental frailties follow him to whichever surface on which he plays.

Sock’s success on the clay largely comes from being able to translate his massive ground game to a slower court by hitting his groundstrokes flatter and with more weight than a lot of clay-court specialists. Paire moves around the clay exceptionally well by just about anyone’s standards, let alone for someone who stands 6’5”. His outstanding shot-making is enough to blow away any player on the tour, at least for a set. Paire’s problems come at maintaining consistent ball-striking over sustained periods; he can get away with this against lesser opponents, but when he meets a comparable talent his weaknesses are exposed.

Sock should be able to load up on enough howitzer forehands to make life difficult for Paire, who will have his moments but ultimately be let down by his inconsistency.

Pick: Sock in 3

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