Jack Sock has continued his stellar start to 2017 with a quarterfinal trip in Miami, but now it is Rafael Nadal who stands in his way on Wednesday. Kei Nishikori and Fabio Fognini are also aiming for a place in the semis.
(5) Rafael Nadal vs. (13) Jack Sock
Nadal and Sock will be going head-to-head for the third time in their careers when they clash in the quarterfinals of the Miami Open on Wednesday night. Both of their previous encounters have gone Nadal’s way–6-3, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2 at the 2015 French Open and 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 a few months later on the hard courts of Beijing. The sixth-ranked Spaniard is still flying high two years later, and his 2017 campaign would be even better if not for losses to Roger Federer in Melbourne and Indian Wells. Nadal, who is through to the last eight thanks to defeats of Dudi Sela, Philipp Kohlschreiber, and Nicolas Mahut, is 17-4 and has lost to the eventual champion in three of four tournaments.
As good as Nadal’s record is this year, Sock’s is superior. The red-hot American is 18-3 with titles in Auckland and Delray Beach, a big reason why he registers at a career-high 17th in the rankings and will likely climb to No. 15 even if he loses on Wednesday. Sock has advanced so far this fortnight by taking out Yoshihito Nishioka (via retirement), Jiri Vesely, and Jared Donaldson. It must be said that the No. 13 seed has been fortunate in Miami, as Nishioka was up a break when he sustained a knee injury and Milos Raonic gave Donaldson a third-round walkover due to a hamstring issue. This is where Sock’s favorable draw ends, but it has never been easy for Nadal in this matchup and this story will likely be a similar one.
Pick: Nadal in 2 with at least one tiebreaker
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Fabio Fognini vs. (2) Kei Nishikori
As is often the case with Nishikori, the outcome of this one will likely be dictated by his health–or lack thereof. The world No. 4 from Japan fought past Federico Delbonis on Tuesday, recovering from a break down in the third set to prevail 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. However, Nishikori received treatment for an apparent knee issue on multiple occasions and he admitted afterward that it was a “tough condition.”
Up next for the second seed on Wednesday is a third career showdown against Fognini, who is 0-2 in the head-to-head series. Nishikori got the job done 6-1, 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-4 at the 2011 Australian Open and 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 on the clay courts of Madrid last spring. Fognini has been his typically mercurial self in 2017, covering all spectrums in terms of his form. The 40th-ranked Italian won only two matches in his first four tournaments but clinched a Davis Cup victory for Italy (in five sets over Argentina’s Guido Pella), upset Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the Indian Wells Masters, and has been no-nonsense in Miami with defeats of Ryan Harrison, Joao Sousa, Jeremy Chardy, and Donald Young. Fognini looks strong enough both physically and mentally right now to capitalize if Nishikori is less than 100 percent.
Pick: Fognini in 3
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Impressive service game from Rafa for 4-1. Nice depth on the FH. Sock meanwhile is just misfiring; FH hasn’t been much of a weapon so far.
Sock’s ROS really letting him down. I think Nadal could be doing more with that first shot after the serve. He’s getting a lot of pretty short returns (when they go in at all) that he could be putting away or at least putting more pressure right from the start of the point.
C’mon Rafa!Make it in 2!!YES!!WOOOHOOOO!!!
6-2
First set quickly to Rafa, 6-2. He didn’t do much wrong, but I expect Sock to settle down from here and make it more competitive.
I have to believe that Sock will play better in the second set. He’s making it too easy for Rafa now.
Nny…I thought u want things go easy for Rafa?hahaha…
MA,
I forgot to add that it would be just fine with me! LOL! Look how Sock came out and broke Rafa in the first game of the second set. So much for easy!
I should have kept quiet!
Nny!hahahaha….Yeah,u should kept quiet or make a better wish..like,Rafa will bageled Sock in 2nd sets..but thats okay My Queen,Rafa will bounce back!If not in this set..in 3rd sets..insyaallah!!
Beautiful attacking play from Rafa facing break point, but Sock breaks him on the second.
Wow, I normally advise against trying to hit a drop shot against Rafa, but Sock has hit two. He’s starting to feel it now.
Not when Rafa was standing so far behind the baseline.
MA,
Oh Mama! Rafa got lucky there. See? Good wishes for Rafa and it works! He holds serve!
Yeah Nny!!C’mon My Queen!!Make a good wish some more!!Hurry!!
Rafa very lucky to get out of that service game. Real test of Sock’s mental strength now, because that’s the sort of game that could turn the match decisively for Nadal if Jack lets it get to him.
Oh Nny!!Your good wish is working big time!!!Wooohoooo!!!
Rafa has a chance now!
More good wishes!
That’s a psychological win by rafa…sock maybe a bit down atm…rafa needs to pressed harder at this point..
I agree.
YES!!!Nny!!I LOVE U!!!Your good wishes keep doing their magic!!!WOOOHOOO!!
Rafa must hold here!
Urgh!!Rafa should make a lob instead of DTL shot when he’s so far behind the baseline and sock already waiting at the net…
And my wondering as to what all the hype over Jack Sock is about continues… He may capable of occasionally taking out a Raonic or a Nishikori, but there’s a whole club of those guys!
Rafa certainly not as sharp as he was during his heydays. He has to fight tooth and nail often these days, like most champions do after their heydays.
Yeah thinking the exact same thing lucky.
There’s sporadic moments but he doesn’t dominate and push opponents around like he used to.
Well done Rafa! I can breathe! That hold was crucial!
Okay Rafa! You can do this!
Jack Sock is certainly getting better and he’s only 24. He may not be a Delpo, but who knows when he gets older he may be half a Stan and wins something big?
He has the serve, the power and the topspin. He needs better movement and experiences in big matches.