I am hoping to get some good tips or stories about strategies used for timed matches. I lost two 3.5 doubles timed matches. The first was a 2-6,5-4 loss where it was a straightforward 7-10 games loss. The second was a 4-6,6-2,(2-3 3rd set tiebreaker) loss. We were up 5-2 in the second set, opponents serving next, and getting close to the 90-minute time limit. Our opponents did the smart thing and lost the last game on purpose to get into the tie break ... at least I think they did due to three consecutive double faults when there were few double faults all match. They could have tried to win the game to tie the games count, but they were in danger of running out of time while they were behind on games. At least in the tie breaker, it is a toss up because whoever is ahead when time is called wins. Since they started the "gamesmanship", could we have done something to stall in that last game? We were also ahead a few times in the tiebreak, where stalling might have helped. Also, I was at fault in the tiebreak because I thought we won already due to the lead in games won ... I may not have been as sharp as I needed to be. Anyway, any tips or stories about things you did or were done to you in timed matches would be appreciated.
Timed Matches Tips and Stories
- Thread starter guenyen
- Start date
kelkat
Rookie
In your 90 min. league, are all 3rd sets an automatic tiebrk? After a 15 min warmup, our league matches are timed at 105min, with 3rd sets played out. Stalling is frowned upon. Cut off for last drink is 20 min till.
Tanking the set at 2-5 seems unreasonable. Winning just two more games gets you within striking distance of playing a tiebrk for the 2nd set. In our leag if time gets to 15min left, whoever is up by two wins the set... if only 1 game separates you, you play one more game. If now tied you play a tiebrk.
For me, stalling tactics would take my focus away from where it should be. Just play.
Tanking the set at 2-5 seems unreasonable. Winning just two more games gets you within striking distance of playing a tiebrk for the 2nd set. In our leag if time gets to 15min left, whoever is up by two wins the set... if only 1 game separates you, you play one more game. If now tied you play a tiebrk.
For me, stalling tactics would take my focus away from where it should be. Just play.
Cindysphinx
G.O.A.T.
My personal take on playing timed matches is this: Just play already.
I consider stalling to be cheating. Some people think stalling is just smart tactics. I consider it cowardly and outside the spirit of the rules, and I will always give my opponents a fair chance to beat me.
I also think it usually backfires. The team that is stalling is thinking about the clock. The team that is not stalling is thinking about winning points. It doesn't take that many points to turn around a match.
As far as throwing points or games to get to a tiebreak . . . perfectly OK although I have never done it. I also think deliberately making the points longer to run out the clock is OK (e.g. deciding not to take the net, hitting lobs, not finishing points).
What isn't OK is standing around not playing tennis to deprive your opponents of the opportunity to beat you fair and square.
I consider stalling to be cheating. Some people think stalling is just smart tactics. I consider it cowardly and outside the spirit of the rules, and I will always give my opponents a fair chance to beat me.
I also think it usually backfires. The team that is stalling is thinking about the clock. The team that is not stalling is thinking about winning points. It doesn't take that many points to turn around a match.
As far as throwing points or games to get to a tiebreak . . . perfectly OK although I have never done it. I also think deliberately making the points longer to run out the clock is OK (e.g. deciding not to take the net, hitting lobs, not finishing points).
What isn't OK is standing around not playing tennis to deprive your opponents of the opportunity to beat you fair and square.
Cindysphinx
G.O.A.T.
Second best tip for playing timed matches . . . Learn how to finish a point.
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