Wuhan 2016 SF: Kvitova - Halep 6-1 6-2
Without minimizing or overlooking Kvitova's extraordinary form in this tournament,
and with regret, as I consider and defend Halep's talent and hands as outstanding,
hopefully leading to a #1 position, as this thread shows in its history,
I have to say that
Simona Halep's woeful lack of plan B continued in this match, a story that is now at least 3 years old at this level:
- no slices to reduce the speed of the game
- no chip returns (a la Wawrinka) for same
- no drop shots to surprise the opponent
- no kick serves on the 2nd to take the opponent to the side
- no high, slow DTL topspin shots (see Federer, Pennetta), to reduce the speed and kill opponent's shoulder
- just one S-V incursion to destabilize Kvitova (and that one was ridiculously successful); surely, I'm not asking for full S-V for Halep, as the magnitude of her serve doesn't allow that yet, but as a variation that can't but help
She has all these shots, but she is clearly not training and executing them systematically. That is, openly speaking, bad preparation for winning the GSs.
Simona Halep plays one game: rally from the baseline, relatively hard, moderate topspin. As it was made obvious today, this is feeding the power players exactly what they need. This is only reducing the number of Grand Slam titles to which she might have a chance to win, and reducing the potential length of her career. We are only talking of competition at the highest level, because otherwise Halep has a great record in very important tournaments.
Further, the improvement in terms of serving is not enough.
I passed during the Roger's Cup in Montreal this note on serving to Darren Cahill, her coach. No, I do not know him, but I chose a break in the doubles game in which Halep and Niculescu were involved to hand it to him in the stands only with these words: "Mr. Cahill, this is something technical for you."
Now that I see that the progress in the serve has stalled, and I don't see my proposal adopted, I feel free from any confidentiality I initially wanted to pursue, and
I am releasing here the contents of this note on serving, in the hope that it will be given further consideration and urgency. Worst case, it might help other players and coaches
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Dear Simona,
Re: your serve
I watched here in Montreal your work on serve and have analyzed many Youtube clips, and while Mr. Cahill has enough body and shoulder rotation (his back to the net in the trophy stance, i.e. right before attacking the ball), in my opinion, you do not have (your back is perpendicular to the net). This has several undesirable effects:
- Reducing the available power
- Reducing the available spin, be it lateral or top
I’d strongly suggest you should consider
a switch to the platform stance, best exemplified at:
The Sampras serve
Dynamic pic:
http://www.dono.com.cn/tujie/sampras01.htm
http://www.dono.com.cn/tujie/sampras02.htm
(be patient, site is slow)
(use the slider on the left of each picture to slow-motion)
A good analysis of it is here:
http://www.cwtennis.com/prostrokes.cfm
(check Serve, both Flash and non-Flash)
Justin Henin (who is about the same height as you are) used it, and got much more action/work/spin on the ball than you have, and close to 10 mph more. Madison Keys uses it, and Vesnina (an excellent, experienced returner) had a very hard time yesterday in returning it. Dominik Thiem also has a very effective platform serve.
The rocking motion implied by the platform stance is very beneficial in imparting more power, side and top ball rotation.
Things you need to improve, in my opinion, on serve, whether you go for platform or not:
- A higher ball trajectory. You’re going too flat, straight, and close to the net, which is a risky approach, leading to m any errors.
- A more low-to-high action at contact that will help in establishing that high trajectory. You're going too much high to low. Again, risky.
- Your head should be much more leaning back, practically horizontal from the neck, and looking at the sky (please check Sampras at the Chinese site above). This again is recommended for the higher trajectory, facilitating the brushing up action on the back of the ball.
- Your hip should be leaning much more into the court in the trophy position (Madison is quite good in this respect). This will help your balance and your body’s rotation.
- Your back should be facing the net or you don’t have enough body-shoulder rotation. This is a clear indicator.
- Considerably more knee flex and leg action (see Thiem) is required.
- You need to use much more the Kick serve (the platform stance will help).
A high ball trajectory, besides a better margin for error, helps in surprising the receiver, as the ball is going up at contact, travels higher, and is brought down in the target area much later. Of course, a strong pronation of the forearm in the follow through (which you seem not to add to a sufficient extent) is necessary to bring the ball down.
Of course, you decide for yourself, these are only suggestions.
Thank you for your time.
Best wishes for the Grand Slams.
Marius Hancu
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If Justine Henin, at a similar body size, felt it necessary to adopt the ATP forehand and the platform serve to counteract the power players, I see no recourse for Simona Halep but to do the same.