<% ns_puts [mkm_getnavbar] %>

Bank of the West

Stevenson Squeezes Through

Monty Basnyat

It took Alexandra Stevenson little over two hours to take down Teryn Ashley 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-1 in a hard fought, error filled, first round match at the Bank of the West. Ashley, a four time All American from Stanford University, is currently ranked 187 in the WTA rankings had to qualify to get into the main draw.  

I had caught up with Stevenson 6 months earlier for an interview in Sacramento, California and, despite a reputation as a bit of a Prima Donna, I found her to be intelligent, amusing, and utterly delightful. This, however, was the first chance I had to see her strokes as well as her game up close and I have to admit, I was impressed.

Stevenson plays an aggressive baseline game with a huge forehand and a smooth as silk one-handed backhand that’s as pretty as any in the game. She also possesses one of the bigger serves on the tour, regularly clocking in at over 110 miles an hour. She has a knack for coming up with a big serve at opportune times and she used it  to take control of the return with her groundstrokes. What also impressed me was the way she constantly went after Ashley’s second serves ripping winners and placing her opponent on the defensive.  

When I spoke to her last, she said she did not have a coach and traveled with her mother. I'm not sure playing on tour without a coach is the right thing for her at this point in her career. Despite her talent, she needs to improve in a couple of areas if she is going to get to the next level.

Even though she moves fairly decently for a big girl, her mobility makes her vulnerable. With her current speed, she will not face too much of a problem with a majority of the lower ranked girls who may not have the firepower to dictate points with the first or second strike. But if she is wants to move inside the top 10, she needs to improve if she's going to compete successfully day in and day out with the likes of the William sisters and the Kim Clijsters of the tennis world.

These girls can hit off the ground just as big as Stevenson (or bigger) and serve as well but their movement is a lot better. I know what your thinking here, “How about Lindsey Davenport she is right up there in the rankings and she is no Speedy Gonzalez?” I agree but in my opinion, what Lindsey does as well as anyone on the tour, is change the direction of the ball. And she can do this cleanly and consistently and from both wings. This allows her to take control of points. The result is, her opponents are usually doing most of the running.  

The second part of Stevenson’s game that needs immediate attention is the addition of a slice backhand. Now I am not saying she should give up that gorgeous topspin backhand. Not in a million years. Hit that topspin backhand at almost every opportunity but a consistent dependable slice can be very beneficial:

• It will allow her to change the pace of the ball and take it below the ankles of her opponent forcing them to hit up. This often elicits a short ball and will allow her to take control of the situation with her topspin backhand or forehand.

• In urgent situations, when the ball is not quite in her strike zone, the slice will help her keep the ball relatively deep and low so she can get back into a neutral state.

• It will help her transition game from the base line towards the net.

Ultimately in my opinion Alexandra Stevenson has the talent to get into the top 5. Off the ground, she can hit as big as anyone on the tour and her serve is a major weapon. But if I was her coach, first order of business would be to contact Andre Agassi and ask when he is retiring so I could hire Gil Reyes as her trainer on a full time basis. Without that improvement, Stevenson may prove to be just another might have been.

To contact us, please email to: webmaster@tennisone.com

TennisONE is a registered trademark of TennisONE and SportsWeb ONE; Copyright 1995. All rights reserved.