This is the second article of a series of seven
Inevitably you will encounter a player who completely frustrates you and no matter what you try, you keep failing to come up with a winning strategy.
Learn to identify your opponent’s particular style, strengths and weaknesses, and their pattern of play, and how to exploit these to your advantage.
As well, inform yourself regarding your own style of play to develop the best strategy to protect your weaknesses.
2. The Great Returner
The Great Returner is able to neutralize your serve so that no matter how powerful or well placed, they get the ball back to you and shift pressure back to you. If they are really good, they will keep you pinned to the baseline. Very frustrating if you have a real weapon for a serve and rely on it for your points.
Strategy Against the Great Returner
Disguise your serve as much as possible by adjusting your swing to the ball; do not provide any cues about what type of serve is coming next.
Vary Your Shot Placement - primary strategy - serve wide to open up the court and set yourself up for a deep angled shot on the next stroke. Throw in the occasional serve down the middle, if returner is beginning to anticipate a wide serve. Also try to jam the returner with a body serve or down the middle. Mix up the placement of your serves, not just the type of serve. Keep the ball away from your opponent’s ideal strike zone with a high kick or topspin so that the ball bounces to shoulder height or by slicing to make them stretch more.
Place Your Serve Strategically forcing your opponent to hit to your forehand. Mix things up occasionally by serving and volleying, keeping your opponent guessing your next move and throwing them off their rhythm. Not only vary the placement of the serve, but also vary the spin and pace.
Reference
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primary strategy - serve wide to open up the court and set yourself up for a deep angled shot on the next stroke. Throw in the occasional serve down the middle, if returner is beginning to anticipate a wide serve. Also try to jam the returner with a body serve or down the middle. Mix up the placement of your serves, not just the type of serve. Keep the ball away from your opponent’s ideal strike zone with a high kick or topspin so that the ball bounces to shoulder height or by slicing to make them stretch more and you can get the best hair straightener here.