INDIAN WELLS, Calif.—Hand it to Feliciano Lopez. His entire career, this 36-year-old man from Spain had built a playing style that defied a nationwide agenda. In a country where success tilted on grinding groundstrokes, serves that mostly just go in play and intermittent forays to the net, the left-handed Lopez’s primary assets have long been a booming delivery and disruptive groundstrokes—flat, top, slice—that scarcely match the metronomic and concussive qualities of his compatriots.
The 28th-seeded Lopez’s opponent on this Tuesday evening at the BNP Paribas Open was the top-ranked American man, Jack Sock. Sock led this rivalry 2-1, Lopez’s lone victory coming five years ago in Memphis. And even though Sock was seeded eighth, that ranking disparity meant absolutely nothing throughout the entire match. That was especially true in the first set. As early as 3-all, Sock and Lopez were each dictating so forcefully with their serves that a tiebreaker was the likely end point.
Sock beguiles. There is often a harsh, violent quality to his technique that triggers ups and downs—bold winners (18 off the forehand in this match) and strange miscues (15 unforced from the same side). And yet, at net, Sock can show off a deft brand of touch.
“It’s tough to play Jack,” said Lopez. “He can play almost everywhere on the court.”
6-all came soon enough. Sock served at 2-0 and 4-2, only to surrender each mini-break. Then came three remarkable points. Lopez served at 5-6—and then struck two straight aces to Sock’s forehand, the first clocking in at 138 mph, the second at 136 mph. With Sock serving at 6-7 into the ad court, Lopez knifed an old-school shot, a staccato-like backhand block-chip that went just low and short enough to elicit a Sock forehand into the net.
“He’s an unorthodox player,” said Sock.
Lopez vs. Sock match point: