Jack Sock smiling after breakthrough clay-court season

After being the first player to take a set off Rafael Nadal at the 2015 French Open, Jack Sock reflected on a ground-breaking clay-court season.

Sock is set to at least match, and possibly break, his career-best ranking of 33rd when the ATP World Tour adjusts the standings post-Roland Garros, after his first round-of-16 appearance at a major.

He could not have had a tougher initiation to singles life in the second week - the American is a Wimbledon doubles champion - against Nadal in Paris, but he gamely fought before going down 6-3 6-1 5-7 6-2.

The 22-year-old said he will take fond memories of his recent form home to Tampa - although he is not bound for Paris airport yet, as he and partner Vasek Pospisil are in the French Open quarter-finals on Tuesday.

"Probably my favourite time of the year... although US Open Series is tough to beat," Sock told a news conference of the clay season.

"I love the clay, I love playing on it, it suits my game very well.

"Starting in Houston, winning my first title was very big for me.

"Come over here [to Europe], had some tough losses the first few weeks.

"To make fourth round here, my best grand slam yet. To go out and play a tough match with Rafa was a lot of experience, I'll take it with me in my next tournaments."

Sock said his doubles involvement did not fatigue him, claiming it was a substitute for spending time on the practice court.

"I feel good physically. If I had won the fourth [set against Nadal] and kept going, I would have been alright," he said.

"For me, some people like the off days to do light practice, work on things and get ready for the next match.

"I don't mind going out and playing a doubles match, working and serving, returning, working on a few things. Being out on court, all the experience you get on court can only help."

On the much-awaited Nadal quarter-final with Novak Djokovic, Sock said he was tipping the nine-time champion.

"I guess since I lost to him, I hope Rafa wins. It's hard to bet against Rafa in Paris," he said.

"But Novak's number one in the world, and they've beaten each other a few times each. It'll be a good one."