Mana Games

[dimcoe]

Hey,

I struggle with the 2nd service: if I go with the safe serve, even with spin, the opponent seems to hit at least one or two return winners a game, while if I go with the middle serve, I end up with lots of double faults. Any tips?

[manutoo]

Hello,

a slow topspin serve on your opponent's forehand will get you executed more often than not. On high-bounce surfaces, it's better to do a twist serve ( = top + side spins). To do it, press up then down while pressing your serve button. Aim mostly for the backhand. On low bounce surfaces, do a slice ; you can do it to the outside lane even on the forehand.

But having a low win rate after the 2nd serve is normal if your opponent is stronger than you during rallies : the 2nd serve is not something that gives you an advantage ; the goal is that it doesn't put you at a disadvantage right from the start (which might be complicated if your serve skills are too low for your opponent abilities).

[dimcoe]

Thanks! Indeed I noticed that I get the return winners mostly when going for the kick second serve, even on the backhand. I'll go for the twist and slice more often, then.

I know, I was just struggling with all the on-the-line powerful return winners I've been getting (putting even more pressure, or 'stress', on me for the first serve!)

[dimcoe]

Unfortunately I'm still struggling with second-serves. I often get at least one return winner per game, and in some serve games it feels like the cpu has decided I'm supposed to lose, because I get things like 3 straight return winners (once even 4!). I try all the spins, to the backhand, forehand, body and it doesn't seem to matter. I just finished a match in which my opponent got 10 return winners in 2 sets, and the one before was similar. That's not to mention the many on-the-line returns that I manage to get back just to lose the point immediately afterwards.

(World Tour, Pro10 with a 21-year old Sinner, so quite strong already)

[manutoo]

Could you send me a Bug Report by clicking on the top left little white icon in the in-game menu after you've gotten a couple of return winners in a match ? I'll try to have a look at your 2nd serve.

[dimcoe]

Thanks, I just did that. A match against Shapovalov, who was generally very bad at serve returns, but nonetheless got one or two return winners in several of my serve games (against Baena it was much worse). Some points also illustrate my problems with net play: it seems super easy for the cpu to cover the whole net with amazing speed, while it's very difficult for me to do something similar.

[manutoo]

1) I watched a few of your game serves (unfortunately it desyncs all the time after a while). I think overall it's alright : you're supposed to be under pressure on your 2nd serve, but manage to win a bit more than 50% of the points when facing an opponent of a similar level.
You can improve on 2 points, though :
- you should back right away after your serve, of about 50cm ; there you're often on your baseline or just 1 step behind, which isn't good when you get deep returns ; on the other hand, you'll have to be even more on your toes to reach the shorter returns, as you already struggle a bit to reach them
- use the service aiming preview to learn the timing required to aim closer to the lines ; many of your serves are way too near the center of the service zone

2) For your net coverage, you have to improve your footwork and positioning ; the CPU does that nearly perfectly, and you have a good margin for improvements in that zone (which helps you to be less annoying by the return of serve as well, as explained above).
ie: volleying is much less forgiving on mispositioning and being late on the ball than rallying from the baseline.

[dimcoe]

Many thanks for taking the time and for the valuable tips! I'll pay more attention to those aspects, but now, back to practice