Dallas Open 2023: Taylor Fritz vs Jack Sock preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (1) Taylor Fritz vs Jack Sock
Date: February 8, 2023
Tournament: Dallas Open 2023
Round: Second round (Round of 16)
Venue: Dallas, Texas, USA
Category: ATP 250
Surface: Indoor Hardcourt
Prize money: $737,170
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | Australia - beIN Sports | Canada - TSN
Taylor Fritz vs Jack Sock preview
Top seed Taylor Fritz will begin his hunt for the Dallas Open 2023 title against veteran Jack Sock in an all-American second-round (Round of 16) clash on Wednesday.
Following the best season of his career that saw him win three titles, Taylor Fritz kickstarted 2023 in sterling fashion. The World No. 8 won four out of his five matches to guide Team USA to the United Cup title.
With victories over Alexander Zverev, Matteo Berrettini and Hubert Hurkacz, the American No. 1 established himself as one of the front-runners for the Australian Open title.
However, his Melbourne Park campaign unexpectedly met with a premature ending as the 25-year-old crashed out to Alexei Popyrin in five sets in the second round.
Fritz will now be eager to reset and get back to winning ways at home in Dallas.
Meanwhile, former World No. 8 Jack Sock's career has been on a downward spiral for a few years now due to injuries and inconsistent results. A thumb injury sustained in 2019 and a subsequent back injury hampered his progress on the tour.
Having suffered a first-round exit at the Cleveland Challenger earlier this year, the 30-year-old's world ranking has now plummeted to 141.
Sock, however, hasn't lost hope yet. Having worked on his body to avoid further injuries, the American is now admittedly leaner and fitter than before.
This was evident during his three-hour marathon with Ilya Ivashka in the first round of the Dallas Open on Monday. The American wildcard entrant ultimately ground out a 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-4 win over the Belarusian to open his account for the year.
Taylor Fritz vs Jack Sock head-to-head
Fritz has a 3-2 edge over Sock in their head-to-head. While Sock won their opening two encounters, Fritz grabbed the last three. Their most recent meeting was right here at the Dallas Open a year ago, where Fritz emerged a 6-1, 6-4 winner.
Taylor Fritz vs Jack Sock odds
(Odds sourced from oddschecker.com)
Taylor Fritz vs Jack Sock prediction
Although Sock demonstrated impressive fighting spirit and determination against Ivashka on Monday, Taylor Fritz will be a different ballgame altogether. The American No. 1 is endowed with a colossal serve and a blistering forehand, which will come to life on the indoor hardcourt in Dallas.
That said, Sock has excellent defense and a heavy topspin forehand with which he will hope to extend the rallies and eke out errors off Fritz's racquet. But given the fact that he was involved in a draining marathon in the first round, it remains to be seen how long he can stay toe-to-toe with his compatriot.
Fritz has already shown some scintillating tennis this year and should be hungry to prove that his early Australian Open exit was a mere aberration.
Pick: Fritz to win in straight sets.