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Playing The Score, Part 5

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by Robert C. Murio, Competitive Sports Counselor

Part 5: Closing Out the Match (singles)

In this final installment of "Playing the Score," I will discuss how to close out a match. Ah, match point! This is the point every tournament player hopes and dreams about. You have worked and strained and now you finally have a chance to achieve the ultimate goal. Maybe this match point is to win the tournament or beat a top player or arch rival. The fact is that it's the most important point in the match, and it's going to make your heart beat faster and make your adrenaline flow. However, in the face of all this emotion, you must give yourself the best chance of winning this point. So take an extra few seconds, take a deep breath and then play the point according to the game score.

Strategies for closing out the match

Serving
  1. You're up 40-30. You have the advantage but you don't have much room for error. Serve to you opponent's weaker side and play high-percentage shots until you get an opening.

  2. You're up 40-15. You can definitely take a few more chances here, maybe go for an ace on the first serve or go for a winner early in the rally.

  3. You're up 40-0. Definitely take some chances here. Really put the pressure on your opponent. Maybe hit a bigger second serve or serve-and-volley on the second serve (if that isn't your normal strategy).
Receiving
  1. You're up 30-40. You need to play this point as if it may be the only chance you'll get to win the match. The strategy is to make solid contact on the return, but any return here is good because there's so much more pressure on your opponent at this point, and you want to give him/her a chance to make an error. Once the point is in play, you must go to your strengths, and when you get an opportunity, go for your shot.

  2. You're up 15-40 or 0-40. Here you need to be aggressive. You can't afford to let your opponent off the hook by allowing him/her to play safe, steady ball and climb back in the match. You can take that option away by being aggressive.
One added bit of strategy at this stage that might be different than other scoring situations. When you have match point, this is the perfect time to try the totally unexpected. You might try a drop shot in the middle of a rally or serving-and-volleying for the first time. The element of surprise at this time may catch your opponent completely off guard because he/she is so concentrated on combating what you normally do that a sudden change could cause an unforced error and an easy win.

Conclusion

Remember, experience is the best teacher in learning how to properly play the multitude of scoring situations. As you play your matches, you need to have your pro or coach check out what you do in these situations and then discuss them with you while they're still fresh in your mind. Don't keep making the same mistakes. Be smart. Play the score, and you'll win a lot more of those close matches.

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