Kyrgios Withdraws Sick, Sock Advances to Face Federer at Indian Wells Saturday

by Staff | March 17th, 2017, 10:10 pm
  • 9 Comments

Former world No. 1 Roger Federer and top American Jack Sock took two very different routes to a semifinal meeting on Friday at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif.
ADHEREL
Sock outlasted Kei Nishikori 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 for his biggest career win, reaching a first Masters 1000-level semifinal.

“To get my first semi at one of my favorite tournaments of the year, it feels very special to play in front of the home crowd,” Sock said. “They really get behind you and support not only me, but all of the Americans as well.”

It was also the first time the 24-year-old Sock beat a Top 5-ranked opponent in eight tries.


Sock in the third set broke in the first game, and then the fifth game before serving out the match at 6-2.

“I think he served really well,” Nishikori said. “I was having really tough time with my return, missing a lot, and giving him a lot of short balls. And he was attacking really well in the first and third sets. I didn’t play my best tennis, but I think he played good tennis also.”

Sock is 0-2 against Federer, who in his quarterfinal received a walkover against streaking Aussie Nick Kyrgios, who cited an illness for his abrupt tournament exit.

“Unfortunately I am unable to play today due to sickness,” Kyrgios said in a statement. “At this stage we think it’s food poisoning, and I’m praying it’s nothing more. After a restless night of being sick I have nothing left and to play a great champion like Roger, I need to be at my best to have a chance. I don’t take this decision lightly, these are the matches we train for but I’m in no fit state to take to the court.”

Kyrgios had streaked to the quarterfinals, en route improving his career record to 2-0 against former No. 1 Novak Djokovic.

Sock said he will have a newfound confidence facing Federer.

“When I played him here last and I played him in Basel a couple years ago, I don’t think I went on the court giving myself a ton of chances of winning,” Sock said. “I think that’s changed, for sure…I am playing confident tennis as well myself.”

Saturday in Indian Wells will feature the semifinals (3) Stan Wawrinka vs. (21) Pablo Carreno Busta, and (9) Roger Federer vs. (17) Jack Sock.

Both Swiss players lead their opponents 2-0 in their head-to-heads. Sock and Carreno Busta are appearing in their first ATP Masters 1000 semifinal.

INDIAN WELLS SATURDAY SCHEDULE
STADIUM 1 start 11:00 am
ATP – [21] P. Carreno Busta (ESP) vs [3] S. Wawrinka (SUI)
ATP – [17] J. Sock (USA) vs [9] R. Federer (SUI)

Not Before 4:00 pm
WTA – DOUBLES FINAL – [6] Y. Chan (TPE) / M. Hingis (SUI) vs L. Hradecka (CZE) / K. Siniakova (CZE)

Not Before 5:00 pm
ATP – DOUBLES FINAL – [6] R. Klaasen (RSA) / R. Ram (USA) vs [8] L. Kubot (POL) / M. Melo (BRA)


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Defending Champ Djokovic With Federer, Nadal, Del Potro And Kyrgios In Same Indian Wells Quarter
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9 Comments for Kyrgios Withdraws Sick, Sock Advances to Face Federer at Indian Wells Saturday

Tennis Lover Says:

BIG 4 or Five including Wawrinka’s dominance will be officially over by 2018. I can still see Federer winning another major most probably Wimbledon if he stays fit and sustain his winning spree. Wawrinka, Murray and Djoker can win one slam each within 2018 as their swan song. I am still doubtful of Nadal’s chance of winning another major though. It all depends on his clay performance this year..If he does not win RG 2017 his career is officially over and I do not think he is going to drag his career longer after that. Why Fed is still dangerous- His refreshed body after break, his effortless less physical style and his bigger skill sets. Djoko and Nadal has this problem their limited skill sets will subdue them at this part of their career. However, excited to see who holds key of dominance of after Big 5 are gone from the limelight in 2018. I guess it will be a roller coaster like today’s Women’s Tennis


Daniel Says:

That was another great performance by Fed. Sock raise his level in second set and played more aggressive.

Fed huge favorite against Stan, who never beat him on HC before.

Also with Murray and Djoko out of Miami, and if Fed wins IW he will move to #6. He will get a top 4 seed for Miami. This tourney he played a bunch of fast matches so I think he should definitely play Mimai. Make some points and use the opportunity of no Noleandy. Next will be clay and he can’t be holding this form nor heavy schedule there. So the most points he gets now the better.

Topsy turvy year indeed. Who would have thought that Andy and Djoko wouldn’t have a single final appearance combined in first 3 big tourneys: AO / IW / Miami.

Kind of scared what can happen on clay now!


skeezer Says:

Fed the only top player to survive the “draw of death”, with 5 seeds in the top 10.
Phenomenal.
A Swiss will win tomorrow..
Attack Fed attack!


Amit Says:

Federer survival of the “Draw of Death” and the complete inability of the other members of the Big-4 only proves, by law of natural justice, as to why Federer is rightfully The Greatest Ever Tennis Player.. Nothing and nobody can take it away from him as Mother Nature selected him to be the greatest ever in his domain of tennis…


madmax Says:

Super happy that Federer took the right decision last year to sort out the knee, though it was heartbreaking for all the Federer fans. I never thought he would get off to such a strong start during his comeback in January – who could have?

To think that that type of injury too, is career ending – Federer just continues to amaze. It also makes me realise the sheer power and strength of Rafa and what he has gone through with those knee problems over the years. The loss of elasticity will catch up at the end of the day, we all know that…but for now, it feels good to continue watching both Federer and Nadal.

As for Novak, I am feeling it is more mental than anything else right now; have been trying to find out more about his overall outlook – when the next coach will be coming, I really believe that with Novak, it will be a matter of time until he is back to his best.


Amit Says:

Madmax: objectively speaking, Novak at best can add only 2 more slams to his tally.. Each slam for Novak from this stage will be monumentally difficult..
I wouldn’t have given Novak a single chance at any slam anymore, as he has approached 30, but looking at how incredibly difficult and impossible thing s he has done over his career, I still think he can win 1 more slam, or even two probably,but that’s it.. And sadly for Murray and Delpotro, only my heart says they’ll win more slams, but my mind completely disagrees… :/


Miles Says:

Madmax – it seems likely that Djokovic has sought advice over an elbow injury, so I really don’t think it’s just a mental issue with him. It was apparent last year, when his average 1st serve speed dropped by 5-10kph, that underlying physical issues were contributing to his decline. I do think off the court issues have also made him lose focus, too.

I really wouldn’t be surprised to see him retire this year.


madmax Says:

Miles, I absolutely disagree with you.

No way that Novak retires. That’s just silly. Think of all the players who have had ‘serious’ or potentially career ending injuries…we are talking back, elbow, knees, wrist (think Delpotro), 5 surgeries later, he is back.

Where there is a will, there is certainly a way. Novak has made it clear – he is in for the long haul. I think the loss of Becker has disrupted his game, for a while…the same happened to Murray with Lendl, remember? When Lendl left Team Murray, Murray’s game was awry for a while. Now look at Murray. Riding high, okay, out injured for now, but he will return.

I think you need to chill a while. Give Novak a break. He has been at the top of his game for a long while. You cannot keep up that level of play, day in, day out. Novak knows that – so he is entitled to a breather and to return stronger and more in control of his game.

Just you wait and see!


madmax Says:

Amit, I also meant the above post for you as well. You and Miles.

I fully expect Novak to return. And to return stronger and healthier. He is way too talented to jack it all in. He has a long career ahead of him.

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