Raonic Socked Out Of Memphis; Tsonga, Berdych Winners In Marseille; Ferrer-Nalbandian Thursday In Buenos Aires

by Staff | February 21st, 2013, 12:52 am
  • 7 Comments

Two-time Memphis finalist Milos Raonic was stunned today by American youngster Jack Sock 6-3, 5-7, 7-5 in the second round at the U.S. Indoors. Raonic, who had lost the last to years in the Memphis final to Andy Roddick in 2011 and Jurgen Melzer in 2012, had won six straight matches having just claimed his third San Jose title on Sunday. But on Wednesday it was Sock who collected the biggest win of his young career.

“It feels good to get my first singles win of the year,” said Sock. “I had an unfortunate ankle roll in Australia so this is big for me to get some confidence and momentum, not only for this week, but the tournaments coming up. To get my career-high win is obviously big for me.”

The Nebraska native lost serve just once and whacked his 11th aces to close out the 14th-ranked Canadian.


Raonic joins No. 3 seed John Isner who lost yesterday as early exits by big names at the tournament.

“He was doing a few things well,” said Raonic. “He was hitting his forehand well. I just wasn’t getting in the right position. I was giving away too many sloppy points.”

Three-time champ Tommy Haas also was a winner along with Lleyton Hewitt, Donald Young and James Blake who next plays the 168th-ranked Sock tomorrow night.

In Marseille, Frenchmen Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gilles Simon advanced. Top seed Tomas Berdych also got through beating Ernests Gulbis in three sets.

And in Buenos Aires, Rafael Nadal isn’t there but the top ranked Spaniard is. That is David Ferrer. Ferrer returned to the clay courts Wednesday easily defeating No. 186 Agustin Velotti 6-4, 6-1. Next for Ferrer is a date with Brazil finalist David Nalbandian tomorrow.


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7 Comments for Raonic Socked Out Of Memphis; Tsonga, Berdych Winners In Marseille; Ferrer-Nalbandian Thursday In Buenos Aires

Sean Randall Says:

Very disappointing loss for Raonic. Sock will be a decent player but Raonic is much more polished and refined. Milos should win that match.

And Isner withdrew from the Memphis doubles because he too has bad kness! John’s turning 28 in April, and like Nadal he might want to start looking at reducing his schedule. Especially because it seems like every Grand Slam event he gets caught up in some sort of marathon.

February 21st, 2013 at 9:58 am


Ashino Wolf Says:

Remember he lost a close 4th-set match to Almagro, not that long ago, and when he’s on and far from his usual unforced errors range he can be dangerous. Difference in total points won was like 5 – very tight – Sock was “on” on his service return and managed the 2 breaks – if you look at the point breakdown it was really close and both were over 80% on 1st serve pts won (82 and 84%) and dead even on 2nd serve pts won (47 and 46%) and on return pts won again they were dead even on both 1st and 2nd serves (18 and 54% vs 16 and 53%) – even the ace and double fault count even at 11/7 and 12/6.
Looking at the total pts won on serve and return Sock was at 67% and 32% and Milos 68% and 33% – can’t get closer than that.
It all came down to the two break points – very close match

February 21st, 2013 at 10:58 am


scineram Says:

Delpo beats Llodra from match point down. Aced on that one. Michel dangerous indoor.

February 21st, 2013 at 3:15 pm


Giles Says:

Looks like it ain’t just Rafa with bad knees! Maybe now we will start a discussion on Isner’s bad knees for a change!!

February 21st, 2013 at 4:57 pm


Alok Says:

Llodra and benny are two dangerous indoor players, and both over 30.

Raonic most probably will not become a consistent top 10 player. If he goes deep in one tournamnent, he then exits early in the follow up tournament. Not a good sign, as he’ll become predictable.

February 21st, 2013 at 11:41 pm


SG1 Says:

As a Canadian, I definitely pull for Raonic. But, he does have some niggling issues with his game. His forehand can fly on him when is movement isn’t right. His backhand is not what I would consider to be an upper echelon shot. Probably better than Roddick’s…but then again maybe not.

The problem for Raonic is athleticism. He has the weapons. He just doesn’t have the movement at this point. Guys like Murray and Federer, who have big weapons and are great athletes, expose his deficiencies. I’m not sure if Raonic can make himself a better athlete given that he’s already at an elite (or near elite) level in the sport. DelPo did improve his movement and won a major. But DelPo just seems like more of a natural athlete. I think it’s all that soccer they play in Argentina.

February 22nd, 2013 at 12:52 pm


Alok Says:

DelPo is a somewhat lighter on his feet and movement than Raonic, which is why Raonic has so many back problems already.

February 22nd, 2013 at 5:06 pm

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