forzamr_b
Rookie
Seeking feedback on how I strategised and executed my game plan against this player who has the ability to hit aggressive shots (especially on the FH) but chooses to play ultra defensive, high percentage tennis (I don’t like using “pusher” as I accept and respect all legal ways of playing and winning in tennis). Also, welcome strategies that I didn’t think of that you think could be effective. Full game plan analysis and full match video below.
Background
I like to play aggressively but lack stamina to sustain long rallies. So, still trying to find the right balance of keeping points short without committing too many unforced errors. I played my opponent once before, he beat me 6-7, 4-0 (ran out of time). I played into his hands and committed too many errors, got killed by his excellent lobs, and ultimately ran out of gas. If we had time he probably would have taken the 2nd and 3rd set comfortably.
Pre-match game plan
Won 6-3, 4-4 (ran out of time).
I was shocked to see his 2nd serve won was so dominant over mine! 52% vs 37%. In-game I knew I was wasting 2nd serve return opportunities with errors but I didn’t realise how bad it was. Would need to analyse closely but might be a combo of giving away free points with errors early on, then losing the 2nd serve return advantage by returning too safe later on.
Background
I like to play aggressively but lack stamina to sustain long rallies. So, still trying to find the right balance of keeping points short without committing too many unforced errors. I played my opponent once before, he beat me 6-7, 4-0 (ran out of time). I played into his hands and committed too many errors, got killed by his excellent lobs, and ultimately ran out of gas. If we had time he probably would have taken the 2nd and 3rd set comfortably.
Pre-match game plan
- Hit to bigger targets, try and increase my shot tolerance and reduce errors
- If drawn into a rally, hit hard and heavy down the centre when trying to force errors from opponent rather than go for the lines.
- Don’t rush the net too early as I’m wary of his lobs and my net game, particularly OHs, is the weakest aspect of my game. Try and play first volley or swing volley just behind the service line, stay just inside the service line for 2nd volley.
- Attack his 2nd serve which is very weak
- Was missing returns on 2nd serve by over hitting or mistiming my strokes. Tried to aim down the middle when I wanted to hit aggressive 2nd serve returns.
- He seemed too comfortable in rallies and moving laterally, so I decided to try and introduce more variety and bring him to the net.
- Attacked his BH during rallies
- Wasn’t attacking my second serves when I took pace off so I went safer during high pressure points.
Won 6-3, 4-4 (ran out of time).
- I still was sucked in to ending a point early and did make mistakes. But I think I did at least play less aggressively than usual.
- I couldn’t quite play volleys at 3 quarter court. Somehow I kept being pushed back to play a groundstroke. Perhaps I wasn’t stepping in quickly enough or reading the flight of the ball fast enough. Or credit to him for floating those slices very high and deep.
- His lobs still killed me, thankfully not closing the net as often helped with damage limitation.
- When he did draw me to the net, intentionally or not, I found it difficult to recover back to the service line to counter his lobs. Inertia was just pushing me too far forwards and I couldn't change direction in time.
- I didn’t execute my drop shots well today and was very fortunate he didn’t capitalise on my poor execution, which is why I didn’t abandon my plan to mix things up.
- Still couldn’t close the game fast enough. Stamina was waning in the second set and points started to get longer, swinging the advantage to him.
- SnV didn’t work today, he did well to send returns low and to the body.
I was shocked to see his 2nd serve won was so dominant over mine! 52% vs 37%. In-game I knew I was wasting 2nd serve return opportunities with errors but I didn’t realise how bad it was. Would need to analyse closely but might be a combo of giving away free points with errors early on, then losing the 2nd serve return advantage by returning too safe later on.
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