If there is one person who has been having a wonderful time on the clay courts this season, it has to be Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard is playing some astounding tennis on the red surface. He has not tasted defeat even once on clay, and the former world number one will be keen to keep that record intact when he comes up against Jack Sock in the round of 16 clash at the Rome Masters (Italian Open) on Thursday.
There has been an element of class written all over his performances on the clay surfaces, where he has already won three titles, and is looking to win the fourth straight title, Roma Masters. That will keep him in good stead ahead of the French Open, which is the second Grand Slam of the season.
Nadal set up this date with Sock after his opponent Nicolas Almagro was forced to retire due to knee injury. On the other hand, Sock has been tested in both the matches by Diego Schwartzman and Jiri Vesely, but the American has passed the three-set test on both occasions to face Nadal. And this will prove to be the mother of all tests for him.
Nadal, in his current form, will walk into any competition as an overall favourite, and Sock will have to play some stunning tennis to shock him. If one looks at the head-to-head record between the two players, Nadal is unbeaten in their three meetings. They had earlier met at the Miami Masters, where Nadal emerged victorious in straight sets.
On clay this season, no player has found the formula to get past Nadal. Even when the Spaniard is challenged, he goes into another gear and beats his opponents. Everything that Nadal has touched this season has turned to gold, with his class playing the major role.
But then, Sock is having a good 2017, where he has already won two titles. Can he become the first person to beat Nadal on clay in 2017? The likely answer is no, but if Nadal takes it easy, which he hardly ever does, an interesting match could shape up at the Italian Open.
Where to watch live
Rafael Nadal vs Jack Sock match is tentatively scheduled for 7:30 pm local time, 11 pm IST start.
- India: TV: Ten 3. Live Streaming: Sony Liv.
- USA: TV: Tennis Channel. Live Streaming: Tennis Channel Live.
- UK: TV: Sky Sports 3/HD. Live streaming: Sky Go.
- Global live stream: Live tennis.
