How Come I Can't Seem To Win?

[Cindysphinx]

Good grief.

I'm 3.0, and I had two 5.5 combo doubles matches over the last few days, both on Court One. Neither opponent was unbeatable. The proof of this is that my partners and I lost both matches in third set tie-breakers.

In the first match, we won the first set, then the other team changed tactics and hit everything to my 2.5 partner, who folded like a napkin. We were down 0-5 in the tiebreaker, started playing two back and rallied to lose 10-5.

In the second match, we lost the first set (on clay) to a team with good topspin groundstrokes. We settled down and got used to the surface and won the second set. We were ahead in the tiebreaker 8-7 and lost the next three points, the last when I hit a good first serve, the receiver popped it up to my partner at the net, who knocked it well wide.

I'm just really bothered by this. I feel like I've been playing darn well. I just can't seem to *win* though.

Part of the trouble is that, although I'm the captain, I didn't pair myself with the strongest possible partner in that second match. I thought I could pull it off with the second-best partner and could use the best partner to play with a weaker player on Court 2 . This strategy succeeded in a way, as we won Court 2 and managed to win the team match despite my loss.

It's just that I can't seem to win these tiebreakers. My singles tiebreak record is 1-0. My doubles tiebreak record is 0-4. What's up with that?

Cindy -- still proud of the team's 3-0 start to the season

[kevhen]

Congrats to starting off 3-0 as a team. Don't blame yourself when you partner is not finishing for you. Remind her that in doubles it is usually best to hit to the center of the court, even on putaway shots especially at the lowest levels! You have a huge court to hit into so you should never miss wide!

[MasterTS]

Sometimes in order to win, you must lose lose lose.

[rod_b]

If you're the CAPTAIN of an undefeated TEAM, then you ARE winning.

[Geezer Guy]

Your job as captain is to put up a line-up that can win. You job is NOT to cherry-pick the best player for yourself and put yourself on the easiest court.

That being said, maybe you should practice playing tie-breakers. There's more pressure in a tie-break (obviously) but if you play a lot of them it may help settle the team down. And, for what it's worth, here's MY tie-break strategy: It's important to hold serve, and you must break your opponents serve at least once. When my team is serving, we play solid high-percentage tennis. When our opponents are serving, we'll take a few chances - we'll go for lower-percentage winners than we normally would.

[Trinity TC]

Your partner is a little dodgy on the critical points but that has to be kept in perspective. Not to worry...she's getting experience and at some point will be better in the crunch...which should make you guys unbeatable. Sounds like you guys are doing a lot better than last year and are having a lot of fun. Ain't winning fun? :p

[Bagumbawalla]

Try different doubles-partner combinations until you find the most effective parings.

Also work on some strategies to use with your partner to set up winning points or weak returns.

Good luck,

B