Former tennis pros Jack Sock and Donald Young are set to face off again, this time on a pickleball court in San Clemente, California. Their match will take place during the PPA Select Medical Orange County Cup. The event runs this week, and both players have already advanced past the first round in men’s singles.
Jack Sock and Donald Young last met in 2017 at the ATP Delray Beach Open, where Jack Sock won in straight sets. Now, both have moved into professional pickleball and are part of a growing list of athletes switching sports.
Different Starts in Round One
Donald Young had a quick win in his first-round match. He beat his former tennis doubles partner, Travis Rettenmaier, in just 18 minutes. Jack Sock had a tougher time. He lost the first game to Martin Emmrich, who was seeded No. 55.
In the second game, Jack Sock bounced back to win 11-7. In the final game, Martin Emmrich led 10-7 and had a match point when he rolled his ankle diving for a shot. Jack Sock helped him off the court during the medical timeout.
After returning to the court, Martin Emmrich had another match point. But Jack Sock held his nerve, regained the serve, and won the deciding game 12-10.
Upcoming Challenges for Both Players
Jack Sock and Donald Young will now meet in the second round of the men’s singles bracket. But that’s not all. In mixed doubles, Jack Sock may also face Sam Querrey in the second round. Sam Querrey is a former Davis Cup teammate and co-host of the Nothing Major Podcast.
Donald Young could end up playing either Jack Sock or Sam Querrey in the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Eugenie Bouchard, another tennis pro turned pickleball player, is also competing at the event.
More Tennis Stars in Pickleball
All four athletes—Jack Sock, Donald Young, Sam Querrey, and Eugenie Bouchard—are taking part across five brackets in San Clemente. The event shows how more tennis players are making the switch to pickleball.News in Brief: Jack Sock and Donald Young
Jack Sock and Donald Young will play each other in the second round of the PPA Orange County Cup in San Clemente. Both ex-tennis pros are now making waves in pickleball. Sock survived a close match, while Young won quickly. More tennis stars, including Sam Querrey and Eugenie Bouchard, are also competing.
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