WTT：向鵬(vs.阿拉米揚)發長球策略

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Here in the Timeout series, we take a deep dive in to some of the strategies the top athletes are using to one-up their opponents and find an edge.

Righthand versus lefthand matchups offer an interesting look in to exploiting the effect that angle has on our opponent’s ability to produce power and speed. The match between Xiang Peng and Noshad Alamiyan in Round 1 of qualifying here at the Singapore Smash gives us some food for thought. 

In the opening game, Xiang opted to serve 40% long, with the majority of those serves directed to curve at Alamiyan’s backhand corner.

The issue the left-hander faces is that it’s difficult to make a strong attack off this serve. Choosing to send the return crosscourt has two issues. Firstly, you are unable to hit directly through the line of the ball’s momentum, meaning producing power becomes difficult. Secondly, it will be directed at the server’s forehand which will be waiting for the counter off the relatively slow opening. 

Returning down the line is optimal, but having less table to work with and the net being closer in this direction means that power isn’t going to be an option. Changing timing, spin and minor placement will be key as the returner to set up the rest of the rally. 

With this strategy in mind as the server, we are now able to pin our opponent in the backhand half giving ourselves the first chance at initiating a forehand or changing direction. This will be particularly effective if the backhand of our opponent is flat as we increase the shot options on our third-ball strategy.

WATCH: Noshad Alamiyan vs Xiang Peng | MS | Singapore Smash 2022 (Qual)