Tip: Serving Out the Match

Some time ago I attended a pro match in Delray Beach, Fla., between Tommy Haas and Andrei Pavel. It was an entertaining three-setter filled with long rallies and fancy shot-making. Serving at 5-4 in the final set, Pavel had the match on his racquet, but played a horrible game and was broken rather easily. Haas then rolled off the next two games and won 7-5. Serving for the match when the set score is close takes nerve and skill. Even a tour veteran like Pavel, who has been ranked as high as No. 13 in the world, can falter in such situations. The next time you’re in the position to serve out a match keep these things in mind:

Get the first one in: The biggest advantage you have when closing out a match is your serve. When he had the chance to finish off Haas, Pavel couldn’t buy a first serve. Instead of trying to hit rockets, Pavel would have been better off taking a little pace off his serves and challenging Haas to make the return. Instead Pavel had to hit second serves, and consequently gave Haas the opportunity to be the aggressor at a critical time in the match. Plus, under such tense circumstances hitting a lot of second serves is never a good idea.

Be methodical: Pavel rushed to net in two of the first three points of his service game. It’s not a bad play for him since he has very capable volleys, but his approaches were way too premature. Pavel’s successes at net occur when he works the point from the baseline until he gets his opponent well out of position and attacks behind a big ground stroke. Haas had plenty of time and opportunity to smack two backhand passing shots. With the finish line so close, players have a tendency to get too anxious. It’s smart to pressure your opponent by forcing them to produce a winning shot, but if you go for something that isn’t there – like a hasty approach – you generally end up getting burned. Play within yourself and stick with the tactics that helped you get where you are – one game from winning the match.