Tomas Berdych is kicking off his Shanghai campaign against Jack Sock on Wednesday. A jam-packed second-round schedule also features David Ferrer and Bernard Tomic.
Jack Sock vs. (5) Tomas Berdych
Sock is looking to build on a successful week in Beijing as he continues his trek through the Shanghai Rolex Masters draw. The 33rd-ranked American reached the quarterfinals before losing to Rafael Nadal in a tight three-setter and he also captured the doubles title with Vasek Pospisil. Sock maintained momentum by disposing of qualifier Lukasz Kubot 6-4, 6-2 on Tuesday in Shanghai.
Up next for the 23-year-old on Wednesday is a first-ever meeting with Berdych. The fifth-ranked Czech is a stellar 49-17 on the season, but he has been uninspiring at best since the start of the French Open. A triumph earlier this month in Shenzhen helped, but his path to that title featured no wins over anyone in the top 28. Berdych has not defeated anyone ranked better than 26th (Tommy Robredo) since the Madrid Masters this spring. A confident Sock can go toe-to-toe with Berdych in the power department and is likely to extend the No. 5 seed’s woes.
Pick: Sock in 2
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Bernard Tomic vs. (7) David Ferrer
Ferrer and Tomic will be squaring off for the fifth time in their careers and for the third time this season when they meet again on Wednesday. The head-to-head series stands at 3-1 in favor of Ferrer, who got the job done in Kuala Lumpur five years ago, at the 2012 Miami Masters, and earlier this season in a three-set Acapulco quarterfinal. Tomic finally got on the scoreboard by taking advantage of a fatigued opponent 7-5, 6-4 in the Indian Wells third round. Ferrer was coming off a brutal 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(6) battle with Ivan Dodig in his previous match.
Almost certainly on his way to another berth in the World Tour Finals thanks in part to a recent title in Kuala Lumpur and a semifinal performance last week in Beijing, Ferrer is an outstanding 47-11 for the year. The Spaniard has returned extremely strong from a wrist injury that sidelined him almost entirely in between the French Open and the U.S. Open. Tomic is a solid 37-23 for his 2015 campaign after beating Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 7-6(3) on Sunday. The 20th-ranked Australian is a modest 2-2 since the season’s last Grand Slam, where he won a second-round thriller against Lleyton Hewitt before bowing out listlessly to Richard Gasquet. Ferrer is as no-nonsense as a player can be and the veteran will be too focused and too consistent for Tomic.
Pick: Ferrer in 2
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Ferrer in 2 and Berdych in 3
ditto
Ferrer in three and sock in straights
Bad day at the office for Benny and Ricky
I’m taking Berdych….he’s rounding back into form…and Ferrer in straight!
you just said Sock would go far!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What are u basing that on. His form??
I dunno why so many ppl have voted that sock will win and beat berdych?! Wtf man ?
because Berdych
Nice
BECAUSE BERDYCHHHHH RICKY!!
Murray took a while to get his feet under himself but defeated Johnson comfortably in straight sets.
Berdy manages to get past Sock in three sets
BECAUSE BERDYCH!! Stupid ppl thinking sock. Stupid
No need to be quite so smug Pieman 🙂 Berdych only just scraped past Sock!
It doesn’t take a genius to say – I told you so – after the match!
Sock should have won. My pick was amazing. Anyone who thought Berdych would win in 2 is either mentally challenged or doesn’t watch tennis.
^^^ Your comment should be deleted. Reason: trolling. Punishment: Apologize
Berdych in threeeee!
Congrats to Meeeee!
(commies to Ricky)
I also said Berdych in 3
Congrats to 64aces!
(commies to Ricky)
Congratulations to those who picked Berdy in 3 sets. Maybe he’s coming of this little slump he’s been in recently.
I am surprised that Ferrer lost against Tomic.