enlightenment
Semi-Pro
Just looking at this match point shows how quick their minds work under pressure. We don't give players nearly enough credit for their mental astuteness under pressure, and their ability to stick (or change) strategy, constantly complaining about choking and the like. Very smart play by both on obviously the most important point of the match.
Let's analyse the point now.
Shot 1. Wawrinka with the serve. He decides to go to the Federer backhand, the highest percentage option. A serve down the tee and a good Federer FH connection could spell trouble. A body serve would also be effective but since it's a 2nd serve Federer could run around and strike a winner.
Shot 2. Federer with the return. He does nicely to get it back in play safely. He may have been going for a bit more angle but nevertheless on MP and Wawrinka under pressure, this is a good play.
Shot 3. Fed's return is semi-deep, and Wawrinka has the chance to go down the line to open the court. However this is the riskier option and he decides to play cross-court. He gets great depth and Fed looks to be on the defensive.
Shot 4. This is the shot which won Federer the point, a shot of sheer brilliance. (and a slight bit of luck) Federer is on the defensive as Wawrinka's return is near the baseline. However he neutralises the point and in fact gains an offensive position with a slow, very-topspin heavy backhand with a heavy angle crosscourt. By the time the ball reaches the baseline it's already at the doubles sideline! Federer is using the angles of the court knowing Wawrinka is likely to hang back behind the baseline, especially on MP. Fed isn't taking time away from Wawrinka, he's simply using the dimensions of the court effectively. The most remarkable thing is hitting the shot off the back foot, with body weight not even moving forwards.
Shot 5. Wawrinka in serious trouble here. He is scrambling and cannot get a big strike on the ball. If he goes DTL it's very low percentage and Federer will easily forehand cross-court. He plays the right way and tries to go wide back to Fed's backhand. Unfortunately he doesn't execute it well enough, understandably. Meanwhile Fed has assumed perfect court position, perhaps he could have in fact stayed even closer to his backhand side to encourage Wawrinka to go for the low percentage shot down the line.
Shot 6. Wawrinka's backhand is not wide or deep enough and Federer is right on top. Perhaps he could have stepped in a bit more here, but with so much court to work with he prefers to have slightly more time and make sure he finishes the point off without an error. He plays sensibly and safely down the line, with plenty of margin.
Shot 7. Federer could have started moving to net a bit earlier but maybe was slightly tentative on MP, understandably. Nevertheless, he has the right mindset eventually and moves towards the centre of the court. Wawrinka is in even more trouble now as he's stretched out wide, and can't do much but try to get it back crosscourt.
Shot 8. Federer has an easy, high put away volley. Wawrinka is very far from his backhand side and Federer does the sensible thing and goes down the line with it. No funny wrong footing or tricks here. Fed may actually have had a difficult volley if Wawrinka had hit this a bit wider/lower. Notice how Federer is running when he hits it, implying he could have moved in earlier with his previous shot's court position.
Shot 9. Victory for Federer!!
Hope you enjoyed this post, and let me know if you wanted more analyses! (Haven't played a lot of tennis in my life, but I think I'm a good tactician
)
LINK to youtube vid:
Let's analyse the point now.
Shot 1. Wawrinka with the serve. He decides to go to the Federer backhand, the highest percentage option. A serve down the tee and a good Federer FH connection could spell trouble. A body serve would also be effective but since it's a 2nd serve Federer could run around and strike a winner.
Shot 2. Federer with the return. He does nicely to get it back in play safely. He may have been going for a bit more angle but nevertheless on MP and Wawrinka under pressure, this is a good play.
Shot 3. Fed's return is semi-deep, and Wawrinka has the chance to go down the line to open the court. However this is the riskier option and he decides to play cross-court. He gets great depth and Fed looks to be on the defensive.
Shot 4. This is the shot which won Federer the point, a shot of sheer brilliance. (and a slight bit of luck) Federer is on the defensive as Wawrinka's return is near the baseline. However he neutralises the point and in fact gains an offensive position with a slow, very-topspin heavy backhand with a heavy angle crosscourt. By the time the ball reaches the baseline it's already at the doubles sideline! Federer is using the angles of the court knowing Wawrinka is likely to hang back behind the baseline, especially on MP. Fed isn't taking time away from Wawrinka, he's simply using the dimensions of the court effectively. The most remarkable thing is hitting the shot off the back foot, with body weight not even moving forwards.
Shot 5. Wawrinka in serious trouble here. He is scrambling and cannot get a big strike on the ball. If he goes DTL it's very low percentage and Federer will easily forehand cross-court. He plays the right way and tries to go wide back to Fed's backhand. Unfortunately he doesn't execute it well enough, understandably. Meanwhile Fed has assumed perfect court position, perhaps he could have in fact stayed even closer to his backhand side to encourage Wawrinka to go for the low percentage shot down the line.
Shot 6. Wawrinka's backhand is not wide or deep enough and Federer is right on top. Perhaps he could have stepped in a bit more here, but with so much court to work with he prefers to have slightly more time and make sure he finishes the point off without an error. He plays sensibly and safely down the line, with plenty of margin.
Shot 7. Federer could have started moving to net a bit earlier but maybe was slightly tentative on MP, understandably. Nevertheless, he has the right mindset eventually and moves towards the centre of the court. Wawrinka is in even more trouble now as he's stretched out wide, and can't do much but try to get it back crosscourt.
Shot 8. Federer has an easy, high put away volley. Wawrinka is very far from his backhand side and Federer does the sensible thing and goes down the line with it. No funny wrong footing or tricks here. Fed may actually have had a difficult volley if Wawrinka had hit this a bit wider/lower. Notice how Federer is running when he hits it, implying he could have moved in earlier with his previous shot's court position.
Shot 9. Victory for Federer!!
Hope you enjoyed this post, and let me know if you wanted more analyses! (Haven't played a lot of tennis in my life, but I think I'm a good tactician
)LINK to youtube vid:
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