"Serve and forehand" says Jack Sock on keys to beating Rafael Nadal

Jack Sock is slowly getting back to playing consistent tennis and while the American is still far away from the tennis that landed him an ATP Finals appearance he is determined to get there. A proper test will come in the 2nd round of the Citi Open in Washington where he will face Rafael Nadal.

Asked what needs to change compared to his 1st round match vs Nishioka he said:

“I looked up and saw my first serve percentage after the first set and that’s just not going to work against Rafa. I was able to get away with it against Yoshi [Nishioka] but Rafa will punish that and start dictating points so first-serve percentage for sure.

Sock has had a string of solid results lately both in singles and doubles and the American is hoping for some good form on the hard courts of North America. His results will be tied to his serve and forehand. He named both of those as keys to beating Nadal:

“Depth on my forehand (is important) too. My forehand feels good, it feels heavy. Kind of like it always is. But I definitely need to get the ball a bit deeper than I did tonight to have a chance.”