USTA 3.5 Rated Singles Match

Moveforwardalways

Hall of Fame
Me and my friend are both USTA rated 3.5. We are actually both most likely going to be bumped to 4.0 next year as we both have strong winning records. We are here having a friendly but very competitive singles match. Enjoy.

I am the one in the Black shirt.
White shirt won in the 3rd set.

6-4
4-6
2-6

Warm Up
http://youtu.be/4w5Jn51eH1M

Set 1
http://youtu.be/aA_MupO9Fso

Set 2
https://youtu.be/HUObe-atPBY

Set 3
https://youtu.be/DmiIqeAbiek


Pretty solid 3.5 tennis. You have good consistency off of both sides on light to moderate pace shots. If you develop a stronger 2nd serve and get more aggressive on short balls, you will be pushing for 4.0 soon.
 

dsp9753

Semi-Pro
Thanks for the feedback and yea.. not sure where I picked up my western grip but I naturally grew into it.

I played on my high school tennis team and took lessons when I was younger. Not sure if a pro taught me that (doubt it) or something I just developed into naturally as I got older. After high school I stopped playing tennis for like 8 year until I just got back into it last year. I noticed I was playing with a western grip and I couldnt remember if I played that way in high school or not.

Its both a curse and a gift.
 

Lance L

Semi-Pro
My guess is as you move up the ratings, you are going to have to add a weapon. Right now your weapon is consistency, but that will not be enough. I'm not poopooing consistency, it is really important, just that at the next level guys will be playing to beat you, not letting you beat yourself.
I'm curious, how do you deal with low short balls to your forehand? If I was playing you I would be hitting low slice to your forehand and make you deal with a low ball 6' inside the baseline, on the fh side.
 
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dsp9753

Semi-Pro
Yup. I see a pro for coaching and some spot training a few times a year. Basically told me the following based on my play style.

1. To move from 3.5 to 4.0, I just need to work on my consistency (which I have).
2. To move from a weak 4.0 to a strong 4.0 I need to either develop a weapon or improve my fitness (drop like 30 lbs and increase my endurance and court coverage). The pro is brutally honest which I appreciate.
3. If I get both a weapon and my fitness improves then I will move up to a 4.5.

My play style is defensive baseliner. Although I do like to come to the net to finish out pts when I am feeling comfortable.

So for my 2nd year of USTA I have focused mainly on consistency and I have been winning like 90% of my matches. I will focus on a weapon and fitness training as soon as I move up to 4.0.

Honestly, deep low balls to my forehand are not a problem for me. I can generally make an exaggerated swing with a follow through over my head to put heavy top spin on the ball to make it drop back in. The problem is low balls at or inside the service line. I hope I never play anyone reading this because those balls require intense concentration on my part and I can never hit a good approach shot on those balls. Either balls into the net or out long. I usually just drop shot it back over to their backhand side.
 

GuyClinch

Legend
Nice to see legit 3.5 players posting.. Too many people around here believe that 3.5s can't play.. Keep up the good work - 4.0 is a tough jump.
 

BlueB

Legend
I didn't watch everything but it looks more like 4.0 to me, except the serve. You are doing something funky with your right leg, almost like a side kick...
 

Bionic slice

Semi-Pro
Thanks for posting the video.

I like some of your 2hbh shots more than the your FH.
Few observations:
You hit a non traditional looking (to me), high arching, almost lobbing forehand that is a very safe shot but lacked an attackers stroke forehand. It was very consistent but like i said its very safe shot.

You need to work on better topspin forehand that can pressure your opponent more as this might work in some 3.5 matches but top 3.5s and 4.0 will crush you with your current fh stroke imo. The depth was very good but lacked pace or power and many guys like me will want to speed up the point and push you around more.

I saw that you often camped on the baseline mostly and you should work on setting up the point and moving into the court more or towards the net. I watched a few videos with 3 diff opponents and when you came to the NET ....remember to get low or bend your knees enough and i often watched you miss hit a make-able volley, i think it's more racket prep or taking your eyes off the ball. Watch some rafter videos or MAC vids on volleys.

Your 2hbh was decent but you didnt attack as much as i would like you to on that stroke, work on your angles, get a slice involved too to mix pace, spins and angles to work your opponent off the court or around the court more.

I saw you often hit right back to your opponent with both FH and BH. We are all guilty of this shot. Work the lines more or cross court angles to more your opponent out of position.


As for playing 4.0 level players , your going to really need to clean up your strokes and get a go to shot fot both sides, that means getting the forehand to generate more UEs and pressure your opponent. Serves are going to need a little more juice and placement as you want to let your opponent know my serves are tough and i can win on serve. Work on a good out wide and down the t serves, mix in some serve in volley in both your 1st and 2nd serve, come to NET more and if you hit better angles those shots will bring good rewards..in those easy points we love getting and put pressure them when your hitting with aggression.

Well...I dont have clean techniques either most of us dont. However, I do hit with an very western forehand but its heavy sometimes too heavy where i might hit the top of the net and not clear over the net. i like to play aggressive and my FH has some pop and much lower net clearance but i go for bigger shots, angles and love stealing someones pace.

I would work on hitting more aggressive returns too to really pressure your opponent to earn his service points.

Just my thoughts....
 
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dsp9753

Semi-Pro
Thanks for the feedback guys!

And I agree, I personally like my backhand way more then my forehand. I can also hit a lot more variety with my backhand and hit it much flatter to put some pace on to the ball.

I am working on everything else but the hardest part is that when your winning often, there is sometimes little incentive to change. Which is why I am eagerly looking forward to the bump up to 4.0 at the end of the year.
 

dimkin

Hall of Fame
I didn't watch everything but it looks more like 4.0 to me, except the serve. You are doing something funky with your right leg, almost like a side kick...

dat fh grip is extreme (I used to hit like that) but I think you are on the way to 4.0.
more pace of both wings while maintaining consistency and you'll be there . . .
 
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LakeSnake

Professional
Is it a common thing to start off with high-arching, spinny shots, and then bring them down as you progress in level?
 

CASmash

New User
I think you play well and would be in the 4.0 category here. Both forehand and backhand are consistent.

Some comments I have:
- You gave the opponent many easy lobs. He missed most of them, but at 4.0 you need to improve that shot or do something else.
- I would suggest you go for more on your serve return. Many were punched into the middle.
- In general try to use more angle.
 
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