Sock Powers Past Donaldson To Reach Miami Quarterfinals

Zverev Upsets Top-Seed Wawrinka

March 29, 2017 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff


Credit photo to Lee Seidner

Top-ranked American Jack Sock rolled past his younger compatriot Jared Donaldson at the Miami Open on Tuesday, powering to a 6-2, 6-1 win to move into the tournament’s final eight.

Sock saved the only break point he faced and won 89 percent of his first serve points to cruise in just over an hour.

The 13th-ranked Sock is now the first American to reach the quarterfinals in four straight Masters 1000 events since Andre Agassi in 1999. He did so in Shanghai and Paris last year, and now Indian Wells and Miami early in 2017.

In the quarterfinals, Sock takes on Rafael Nadal. The fifth-seeded Spaniard knocked off France’s Nicolas Mahut 6-4, 7-6(4) in his fourth round match on Wednesday.

The upset of the day came off the racket of young German Alexander Zverev, who came back from a set down to knock off top-seed Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland.

“I had to be aggressive,” Zverev said afterwards. “I felt like he was the one controlling all the points all the time, so I had to change that. It worked out well for me. [I’m] happy to be in the quarterfinals now. Hopefully I can play as great as I did today.”

Zverev is now 2-0 all-time against Wawrinka. He also defeated him last year in St. Petersburg to capture the first ATP title of his career.

Up next for Zverev is 12th seed Nick Kyrgios who outslugged eighth-seed David Goffin 7-6(5), 6-3 to advance on Wednesday.

Roger Federer edged out a tight 7-6(5), 7-6(4) victory over 14th seeded Spaniard Roberto Bautista-Agut to book his spot in the final eight.

“I thought Roberto did a good job of making shots, staying offensive when he could, fending off a lot of good shots that I hit,” said Federer. “Then it was tough. The sun was coming from the side in the beginning so it’s hard to chase the lines. At the end I’m very happy and pleased that I got it done in straight sets.”

Federer will play 10th seed Tomas Berdych in the quarterfinals. Berdych knocked off Adrian Mannarino of France 6-3, 7-5.

The other Miami quarterfinal will pit Italy’s Fabio Fognini against second-seed Kei Nishikori of Japan.

In women’s singles on Wednesday, second-seed Czech Karolina Pliskova moved past Mirjana Lucic-Baroni 6-3, 6-4 to set up a semifinal showdown against 12th seed Caroline Wozniacki. The Dane beat Pliskova’s compatriot Lucie Safarova 6-4, 6-3. 


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
Oneononedoubles banner art resize
USTA NTC

January/February 2024 Digital Edition