31st seed Jack Sock’s first game on grass in the 2015 season will be his first round match up at Wimbledon against the big serving Australian Sam Groth in what is sure to be an interesting encounter. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from around 10:00pm (AEST) following the Paszek versus Dellacqua match up.
Sock, as stated above, has not played a game on grass in the lead up to Wimbledon, meaning his last match was a fourth round exit at the French Open against Rafael Nadal. In fact Sock has only played 13 games on grass in his career with a record of seven wins and six losses.
Interestingly for the 22-year-old American this will only be his second attempt at Wimbledon having been knocked out in the second round in his first crack at the event last year. His fourth round exit at the French Open earlier this year is his best performance in a Grand Slam.
Groth has been in some good form in the lead up to Wimbledon, winning eight from 10 games on grass he has played since the French Open. This includes wins against the likes of James Ward and Luke Saville on his way to winning in Manchester at the start of June. Winning plenty of games means his serve is working for him and he should be fairly confident coming into today’s match against the 31st seed of the tournament.
Groth only made his Wimbledon debut last year and suffered a disappointing first round exit. His best performance at any Grand Slam was at this year’s Australian Open when he made it to the third round. In terms of winning percentages Groth on grass is rather high. He was won 64 from 90 games at just over 70 per cent, in contrast to his career average of just under 60 per cent.
Groth will be looking to use his serve to overpower Sock. He currently holds the record for the fast serve ever recorded and this will be a punishing weapon for Sock to try and overcome.
The pair have never matched up before, however the odds have Sock as a narrow favourite considering he has earned a seeding for the tournament. Still it is going to be a cracker of a match.
Despite Sock being seeded there is a massive gap in experience between the pair. Not necessarily at Grand Slam level, but on the professional circuit Groth has played over 300 more games than Sock.
Prediction: This is going to be an epic first round encounter. Sock will be keen to consolidate his seeding and move into the second round but will have to fend off the biggest serve in tennis. Without any real form to call on himself, I am going for a five set boil-over.
Groth in five sets.
Join The Roar for live scores and commentary of what should be a fascinating match from around 10:00pm (AEST) and don’t forget to leave a comment if you’re following along.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me this evening for The Roar's live coverage of Wimbledon 2015. Sam Groth and Casey Dellacqua have both moved through to the second round and I hope you enjoyed the coverage. Remember to keep checking back for everything Wimbledon over the next two weeks. Until next time, Goodnight.
Scott Pryde
Expert
MATCH STATS Match Duration: 2 hours 12 minutes Aces: Sock 4 vs Groth 16 Double Faults: Sock 9 vs Groth 4 First serves in: Soxk 57/112 vs Groth 56/93 1st serve points won: 41/57 vs Groth 51/56 2nd serve points won: Sock 30/55 vs Groth 22/37 Net Points won: Sock 14/23 vs Groth 36/55 Break points won: Sock 1/3 vs Groth 4/15 Winner: Sock 23 vs Groth 48 Unforced Errors: Sock 27 vs Groth 25 Total Points won: Sock 91 vs Groth 114
Scott Pryde
Expert
Stats and full wrap up to come.
Scott Pryde
Expert
SAM GROTH defeats JACK SOCK 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3
Scott Pryde
Expert
SAM GROTH wins 4th SET 6-3
Scott Pryde
Expert
A rally of forehands there before Groth decides to come forward and Sock goes down the line but puts a forehand out! GROTH WINS Sock 3 6 3 3 Groth 6 3 6 6
Scott Pryde
Expert
Sock wins the next point with a smashing forehand before he faults and then slips over as a Groth forehand flies past him. MATCH POINT GROTH Sock 3 6 3 3 - 30 Groth 6 3 6 5 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Sock misses on the first serve and then gets his second one in. He comes up to the net and Groth with a smashing forehand takes the first point. Now Sock gets Groth running and he puts a diving forehand wide. Sock on the next point drops it in and gets Groth up to the net who volleys and then smashes it from over his head to take the point. Sock 3 6 3 3 - 15 Groth 6 3 6 5 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Groth now misses his first serve but gets a cracking second one in and Sock returns into the net. He closes out holding to love with a wide ace. Great serve! Groth one game away and Sock serves to stay in the match. Sock 3 6 3 3 Groth 6 3 6 5
Scott Pryde
Expert
A good first serve before he comes up with a volley and then an overhead smash to win the first point. Groth now with a smashing serve that Sock returns wide high and long. Sock 3 6 3 3 - 0 Groth 6 3 6 4 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Groth to serve. Sock 3 6 3 3 Groth 6 3 6 4
Scott Pryde
Expert
Sock faults before Groth's return goes long. Sock holds, but he has to break. Sock 3 6 3 3 Groth 6 3 6 4
Scott Pryde
Expert
Sock wins the first point on serve and then tries to come up for a volley but a cracking forehand from Groth sees him take the point. Sock follows with a fault. After winning another point, Sock comes up with a fantastic Volley. Sock now double faults. Sock 3 6 3 2 - 40 Groth 6 3 6 4 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Sock now puts a return into the net before a fault and then Groth attempts for a volley but puts it into the net. A great second serve follows a fault and Sock returns into the net. Remember Sock must break Groth here. Sock 3 6 3 2 Groth 6 3 6 4
Scott Pryde
Expert
A cracking serve down the T and Sock had no chance of getting a return. Groth now with a serve and volley following a fault and Sock puts a shot into the net. Sock 3 6 3 2 - 0 Groth 6 3 6 3 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Sock now returns to the court. Groth on serve. Sock 3 6 3 2 Groth 6 3 6 3
Scott Pryde
Expert
James Duckworth has just defeated Malek Jaziri. Duckworth 7 6 3 3 7 Jaziri 6 2 6 6 5 The winner of this game between Groth and Sock will play Duckworth on Thursday.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Jack Sock in some serious pain there at the moment.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Medical timeout for Sock now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Sock faults and then a great return from Groth sees Sock put a forehand into the net! Groth on fire. GROTH BREAKS IN THE FOURTH. Sock 3 6 3 2 Groth 6 3 6 3