JACK SOCK'S FIRST MEETING AGAINST ROGER FEDERER

Young American faces the mighty Roger Federer for first time. 

By Jawad Bisharat

Jack Sock is having a great BNP Paribas Open coming off an impressive 3 set win over #16 in the world Bautista Agut. Jack is playing some of the best tennis of his career but does he have a chance today against the mighty Roger Federer?

I say he has a better chance than most think. Wait, I didn't say he would win, I said he has a better chance than most may believe.

Lets break down the match-up. 

Jack Sock was shown to generate more spin or revolutions per minute on the ball then Rafael Nadal (forehands). Over 3100 RPM compared to Nadal's approx. 3000 RPM. This is incredibly difficult to accomplish, as you can imagine, and Sock needs to implore this pace onto Federer today in a big way.

What has Nadal done to Federer over the past 10 years to consistently beat him? Yes, hit high to the backhand and take control of the rallies. Roger's best results against Nadal have always been on a fast court or indoors, where the ball doesn't kick as much. Indian Wells has slow, gritty courts which works in  Sock's favor. Although, the high temperature and low humidity does speed things up a bit.

Jack will attempt to use Nadal like tactics against Feder today except for one little difference. Jack is right handed, so it will be much more difficult for him to consistently find the Federer's backhand. Jack needs avoid getting sucked into forehand to forehand rallies, which he will lose the majority of the time. He must find a way to frustrate Federer by not only playing to his backhand but use his power and pace to take the match the Federer.

Here is my struggle however, Jack plays a little like Andy Roddick. We all know the results Andy had against Federer. As Andy put it one time "How can you call it a rivalry if the same person always wins??"

Federer drove Roddick crazy by slicing short in the service box to his backhand. This forced Andy approach with a backhand and come to net where Roddick was most uncomfortable and vulnerable.

Look for Federer to use the same tactics today against Jack Sock as he did Roddick. Both player who have similiar styles and would prefer to stay on the baseline.

Final word. If Jack is to have a chance today then the serve will have to be near perfect. Serve over 70% first serve and he may find himself with winning opportunities.

BNP Paribas Open announces wildcards

From BNP Paribas Open 

FORMER TOP-FIVE PLAYERS, AMERICANS AND INTERNATIONAL STARS

GRANTED WILDCARDS INTO BNP PARIBAS OPEN MAIN DRAWS

Qualifying Wildcards Given To Seven Americans,

German Andrea Petkovic, and Croatian Ajla Tomljanovic

INDIAN WELLS, Calif., Feb. 27, 2012 – Former top-five players David Nalbandian, Tommy Robredo, James Blake and Kimiko Date-Krumm; Americans Tim Smyczek, Steve Johnson, Madison Keys, Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Maria Sanchez, Melanie Oudin and Taylor Townsend; and Shahar Peer and Kristina Mladenovic were granted wildcards into the main draws of the BNP Paribas Open, to be held March 4 - 17 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, it was announced today by Steve Simon, tournament director.

David Nalbandian has won 11 ATP World Tour titles since turning professional in 2000 and reached the 2002 Wimbledon finals in his first appearance at the event. The Argentine and former World No. 3 will be making his tenth appearance at the BNP Paribas Open. Last year in Indian Wells, Nalbandian equaled his best result, reaching the quarterfinals for the second time in his career.

Former World No. 5 Tommy Robredo is continuing his comeback to the ATP World Tour after an injury derailed much of his 2012 season. The Spaniard has won 10 career titles and has reached five Grand Slam quarterfinals. American James Blake, former World No. 4, also has 10 career titles and defeated then-World No. 2 Rafael Nadal to reach the 2006 BNP Paribas Open finals. Kimiko Date-Krumm turned pro in 1989 and is currently the oldest player in the top 100 at 43 years old. The former World No. 4 has eight career singles titles and four doubles titles, including one in 2013 at Pattaya City.

In addition to Blake, seven other Americans have been granted wildcards into the main draws including two-time NCAA Champion from USC Steve Johnson, who reached the third round of the 2012 US Open; Milwaukee native Tim Smyczek, who is at a career-high ranking just outside the top 100 and pushed World No. 4 David Ferrer to four sets at the 2013 Australian Open; 19-year-old breakout star Madison Keys, who has already defeated five top-50 players in 2013 and cracked the top 80 earlier this month; WTA veteran Bethanie Mattek-Sands, who won the 2012 Australian Open Mixed Doubles title; another USC standout – Maria Sanchez, who is at a career-high ranking after jumping 560 ranking places in 2012 – more than any other player in the WTA; Georgia native Melanie Oudin captured her first WTA title last year in Birmingham (UK); and 17-year-old Taylor Townsend, who turned professional in 2012 after reaching the top of the junior rankings earlier that year.

Two other international players receiving main draw wildcards are Israeli Shahar Peer, who was a BNP Paribas Open quarterfinalist in 2007 and 2011 and reached a career-high ranking of No. 11 and French teenager Kristina Mladenovic, who is at a career-high ranking after defeating three top-25 players to reach the Paris semifinals earlier this year.

“This year’s main draw wildcards span from seasoned veterans, to rising American and international stars to those returning from injury,” said Simon. “Awarding wildcards to players like David Nalbandian, James Blake, Madison Keys and Taylor Townsend add to the allure of early-round matches for fans and provide the potential for these deserving athletes to break through and make a move up their respective Tour’s rankings.

Qualifying wildcards were given to Americans Christian Harrison, Jack Sock, Rhyne Williams, Dennis Novikov, Grace Min, Jessica Pegula and Irina Falconi, German Andrea Petkovic and Croatian Ajla Tomljanovic.