Why does Dent keep coming in on his 2nd serve against Hewitt?

[BreakPoint]

Dent keeps getting pounded when he comes in on his 2nd serve against Hewitt. So why does he keep doing it? It makes no sense to me. That play might work against someone who's not as good of a returner, but it doesn't work against Hewitt, who's one of the best returners in the game and loves a target at the net to pass. Just ask Tim Henman.

I think Dent's better off staying back on his 2nd serves and then look for his opportunities to get in later. BTW, Dent's not all that bad from the baseline, but for some reason he doesn't seem to have as much confidence in his ground game. I think he should just rally from the baseline a little more, which he is quite capable of doing.

 

[West Coast Ace]

Two words: fitness level. He can't afford to rally from the baseline and hope for a short ball to attack - and do it for 5 sets. Sad. I know if I had all the advantages he did I'd make 100% certain I was in the best possible shape.

 

[Andy Hewitt]

The better question is why the hell is Hewitt not getting any 1st serves in...

 

[Rataplan]

What a great match.

Hewitt was very calm today and had quite a fight on his hands but he looked a bit more in control when it really mattered.

 

[Objective Danny]

I admit I am not a fan of serve and volley. At least not on every point. Hewitt used it a couple of times to win a point. That is smart tennis.

When the serve and volley is going well you look great. But when time away time you charge the net and the guy hits a clean winner up the line you look like a fool.

Remember Sampras and Hewitt at the US OPEN? After every serve Big Bad Pete would charge the net and Hewitt used him as target practise. The match was a blow-out.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

it's depending on the matchup:

if you think that play is providing the best % , compared with other alternatives, do it.

not sure if baseline rallies with Hew are any better statistically for Dent than coming in on 2nd serve.