In first glance, it looks like that the two-time Grand Slam semifinalist Grigor Dimitov is favored against Jack Sock. But oh no, it’s a tossup. Whilethe Bulgarian has risen into the top 6, he and Sock have played four times, and the American has beaten Dimirov three times.
Their last battle occurred at Indian Wells in March, with Sock edging Dimitrov 7-6(7) in the third. Sock was playing well then, by changing the tactics game after game.
In 2015 at Roland Garros, in the first round, Sock nailed Dimitrov — on clay, mind you — in straight sets. Two months later, they faced off again, this time on the hard courts at the Canadian Masters Open, and Sock edged Dimitrov 7-5 in the third.
The only time Dimitrov has gotten Sock was indoor in Stockholm three years ago.
This season, Dimitrov has been more consistent and calm, while Sock has been up and down.
In the last few months, Sock has lifted his game. Now both of then have been playing better, and finally, showing positive attitudes and smarts.
American Sock hasn’t been going go for the lines early. He takes his time, especially with his two-handed backhand. When he gets to the net, he can put it away. Still he has a weakness on low volleys; he finds it difficult to get way down and put it in the right spot.
Dimitrov is very decent at the net and could do well to attack more. No, he is just fine spinning his different shots from his hard forehand, and his complicated one-handed backhand.
For Dimitrov to win, he can’t just wait to see if Sock is playing wildly. It is a huge match, and when he gets an opportunity, Dimitrov has to go for the lines, and fast.
Coming into here at the beginning of the ATP Finals, Sock was almost stunned that he got in, given that for six months, he was out of it mentally. Then, a few weeks ago, he stopped getting so frustrated, and realized it is OK to miss a shot or two. He began to raise his chip shots. He understood which way to hit the right ball bounces. And he did.
Both of them want to win — badly. They want to reach the final, the last tournament of the year. They will go into the third set, and this time, Sock will beat Dimitrov again, edging him 6-4 in the third. The Americans are finally rising again, and that is a good thing.
Roger Federer vs. David Goffin
Obviously, Federer is a serious favorite. Yes, Belgian Goffin is very steady and this year he became more aggressive and smart, but he has yet to beat the top guys. Goffin will push hard, and he likes to have long rallies. This hard court is not so fast, and not so slow, which helps Goffin a little. Either way, Federer will win in two sets.
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