Coach’s Corner: Issue #2 – Forest Hill Tennis Club

Dear Members,

I hope you enjoyed my inaugural article last week which provided you with the latest tournament results from both the ATP and WTA Tours along with my personal coaching tips. This past weekend (Jan.31-Feb.2, 2014) tennis fans around the world enjoyed Davis Cup action, which involved match-ups between various nations in the World Group as well as Regional Competitions. Here are the results from all the matches:

World Group:

Japan defeated Canada 4-1.

Czech Republic defeated Netherlands 3-2.

Germany defeated Spain 4-1.

France defeated Australia 5-0.

Great Britain defeated USA 3-1.

Italy defeated Argentina 3-1.

Kazakhstan defeated Belgium 3-2.

Switzerland defeated Serbia 3-2.

Regional Competitions: Europe/Africa.

Group 1:

Poland defeated Russia 3-2.

Slovenia defeated Portugal 3-2.

Ukraine defeated Romania 3-1.

Slovakia defeated Latvia 5-0.

Group 2:

South Africa defeated Monaco 3-2.

Lithuania defeated Norway 5-0.

Finland defeated Bulgaria 3-2.

Bosnia/Herzegovina defeated Greece 3-1.

Belarus defeated Ireland 4-1.

Moldova defeated Egypt 4-1.

Luxembourg defeated Morocco 3-2.

Denmark defeated Cyprus 4-1.

Americas.

Group 1:

Ecuador defeated Venezuela 3-2.

Dominican Republic defeated Uruguay 4-0.

Group 2:

Barbados defeated Chile 3-2.

El Salvador defeated Paraguay 3-2.

Peru defeated Bolivia 3-2.

Mexico defeated Guatemala 3-2.

Asia/Oceania.

Group 1:

China defeated New Zealand 3-1.

India defeated Chinese Taipei 5-0.

Group 2:

Philippines defeated Sri Lanka 3-1.

Kuwait defeated Indonesia 3-2.

Next round of Davis Cup matches will take place during the weekend of April 4-6, 2014. We’ll have to wait a bit longer for Canada’s next encounter, which will take place after the US Open, from Sept.12-14, 2014. Hopefully, Milos Raonic, Vasek Pospisil and Frank Dancevic will be fully recovered from their injuries and Canada will be able to overcome their opponents and remain in the World Group. Even though, Japan defeated Canada this past weekend, I would like to congratulate the team on a very spirited and brave performance in front of a raucous Tokyo crowd. Peter Polansky played a very close match against Kei Nishikori (ranked #18 in the world) eventually losing 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. Frank Dancevic beat Go Soeda 6-4, 7-6(2), 6-1 in a convincing fashion on Day 1. The only slight disappointment of the weekend was the Canadians’ performance in doubles action on Day 2. The team of Daniel Nestor and Frank Dancevic was surprisingly beaten by the Japanese duo of Kei Nishikori and Yasutaka Uchiyama in 4 sets: 6-3, 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-4. On Day 3, Frank Dancevic suffered a stomach pull early in the second set and was forced to retire with the score 6-2, 1-0 in favor of Kei Nishikori. In the final match of the weekend, Peter Polansky was defeated by Go Soeda in straight sets: 6-1, 6-4.

This week’s coaching tip is based on the matches that took place on Day 3: Dancevic vs Nishikori and Polansky vs Soeda. In both cases, the Japanese players were able to keep the Canadians off-balance and were dictating most of the points. Upon watching the video below, please notice how the Japanese players are keeping the ball away from the middle of the court, not giving the Canadians any opportunities to get set and turn the points in their favor. Bottom line: when competing, hit your shots away from the middle of the court, to keep your opponent in constant motion thus making it difficult for him/her to execute a quality shot.