#1 Rafael Nadal - Obviously number one in the world and best clay courter of all time. His Strengths are his legs and ability to trackdown every ball. He has a wicked topspin forehand that causes righthanded players havok on their backhand side (see Federer). His backhand is very consistent though not as powerful as his forehand. His mental toughness is best on tour and rivals the best of all time. He is a bully on the court. You bully a bully to beat him (Del Porto match at Key Biscayne is good example).
How to beat him - Weaknesses - Must bring him in. He is an average volleyer at best. Bring him to the net as you can negate his speed and power. Federer's limited success against him on clay is when he plays a drop shot to bring him in and then passes him. (Why he doesn't do this more often is a mystery to me. Fernando Gonzales did this to him in the Australian Open three years ago as well.) His second serve is still below average. PLayers should step two to five feet inside the baseline and attack his second serve and go for winners, especially on any break point chances. Also, Nadal likes to run around his backhand to hit a forehand on the deuce side of the court. When he does, you should step into the court, well inside the baseline (almost a half volley), take the ball early and hit the ball to the ad side corner. He will already be out of position. If you stay back against him, he will destroy you. Also, Del Porto went after his backhand at Key Biscayne and beat him. Also, his backhand volley is much better than his forehanda volley.
#2 Roger Federer - His Strengths - His forehand - best in the game. If you play against him and try and trade forehands, you will lose. Nadal knows better and goes after his backhand. His first serve is potent though he has lost some zest on it the past two years as his ball toss is lower than it used to be. He is an above average volleyer and his speed and ability to track down balls is second to only Nadal. He loves the low ball to either side and pounds it. Seems to not angle the ball like he used to but still finds the wicked angles. Hard to get the ball by him because of his speed. He has a great overhead but for whatever reason NEVER uses it. That is a weapon that he has forgotten about. Also, if he wanted to, with his eyes and reactions, could be the best returner in the game but chooses to stay back and slice the ball back way too much instead of taking the ball early on the rise and htting through the court. By moving forward 8 feet on returns, you take away the servers reaction time.
How to Beat Him -Weaknesses - Attack his backhand all match long. Federer's weakness is his inconsistent backhand which gets too long. When he gets too long with his swing, he becomes erratic and has tons of trouble with the high kick to his backhand (why Nadal has had so much success against him). His 2nd serve has lost zip and is more of a liability now against the top players. Step inside two or three feet inside the baseline and swing for winners. Also, like Nadal, runs around his backhand to hit a forehand on the Ad side of the court. When he does, step well into the court and take the ball early to the deuce side corner. He is a front runner as well. If you pounce on him, you have a better shot at beating him.
#3 Novak Djokovic - His Strengths - His forehand is lethal as he windsup and pounds it. He is lanky and whips it. Very good first serve and second serve has tremendous kick to it as well. He is very fast around the court and has a good drop shot, which he hasn't figured out when to use yet. His overall physical game is as good as anyone playing.
How you beat him - Weaknesses - Wear him down. When things start to unravel, he loses it fast. You must keep rallies going, move him and wear him down. he will begin to make many unforced errors. Crowds get to him as well (2008 US Open v Federer, 2009 Australian Open v Roddick). He Is an average volleyer so bring him in with drop shots. You attack him by pressuring him and stay inside the court against him. Grind him down and he will make an error. If her dictates play, you are in trouble. Has tons of talent, but his head and mental toughness is a question mark.
#4 Andy Murray - strengths - Has whole package now. His serve is incredible as he places the ball whereever he wants it and second serve has great action on it. It is very unpredictable. His Forehand and backhand are solid as well. I think his backhand is more potent than his forehand as he leaves the ball short sometimes. He scrambles very well and has increased his speed around the court. Overall game is tough.
How to beat him - You must get him out of a rhythm as Nadal did in Indian Wells (the wind helped out as well). Bring him forward and make him volley as he is average at the net. Must hit a high percentage of first serves in as he is the best returner in the game right now. He will pounce on any short second serve. He gets frustrated as well so take your time and vary the speed you play at against him. Right now, he is the best player in the game. Federer beat him at US Open by dictating play, stepping into shots, taking the ball early and inside the baseline. If you stay back, he's too good right now. Taking chances on his second serve pays dividends as well.
#5 Andy Roddick - strengths - First serve is still unreal. He has great placement and kills the poor ball. His second serve is good as well. Sometimes he expects a player to not get it back where if he would step into the court and prepare each time for a return, the point would be over on his next shot. He has finally realized he has very good hands at net (with the help of Stefanki). He is using those hands at net more which is paying dividends. Also, has increased his speed a great deal by losing 15 lbs. Stay away from his forehand.
How to beat him - Attack his backhand. Just as i previously stated, if you get his serve back, he is typically not prepared to put the ball away. Federer has had such success by simply slicing or blocking the ball back at him while returning his serve. Also, you must attack his backhand with a high kicking ball as it is not nearly as strong as when he slices the ball back. If you pull him off the court to his backhand side, he will many times run around his backhand to hit a forehand which opens the whole court up for you - take the ball early then to the deuce side of the court. Gets frustrated at times and lets his emotions get the best of him.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
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