The First 3 Games
Early games are also a scouting mission: use them to learn what the opponent can and cannot do.
Your First Look
The best players choose the highest-percentage option for that moment based on what they have learned about the opponent.
Test Menu
Try these tests in the first 3 games and pay attention to the information they give you for the rest of the match.
Pace Creation Test
TryFeed a few neutral or slow balls to both wings.
What are you testing?Can they create their own pace, or are they only dangerous when you hit hard and they redirect?
What does it mean for your odds?If they cannot create pace but redirect well, stop giving them free power. Use more neutral, high, slow, or spiny balls and make them create.
Power Test
TryHit a few flat, fast balls.
What are you testing?Do they get rushed, block it back, or redirect it comfortably?
What does it mean for your odds?If they redirect pace well, huge power may lower your percentage.
High Heavy Ball Test
TrySend high topspin above their normal strike zone.
What are you testing?Do they handle balls above their shoulder or reply short?
What does it mean for your odds?If yes, use height repeatedly, especially to the weaker side.
Slice / Drop Test
TryHit slices and drop shots.
What are you testing?Do you see speed, pop-ups, awkward bending, or weak replies?
What does it mean for your odds?If yes, keep their contact point low and hit more underspin shots.
Forehand Corner Test
TryFeed depth into the forehand corner.
What are you testing?Can they create a dangerous angle from there?
What does it mean for your odds?If their forehand angle is a weapon, keep the ball out of that corner more often because you are opening their best geometry.
Backhand Corner Test
TryFeed depth into the backhand corner.
What are you testing?Does depth there create errors or short balls, or does it open their best crosscourt pattern?
What does it mean for your odds?Use the answer: attack the side that gives you the safer reply, and avoid opening their best pattern.
Deep Middle Test
TryHit deep through the middle.
What are you testing?Can they still create offense without angles?
What does it mean for your odds?If not, middle is a high-percentage neutral zone.
Wide Ball Test
TryPull them off court.
What are you testing?Watch speed, balance, recovery, and reply quality.
What does it mean for your odds?If weak, use width. If they love running forehands and create angles, do not overfeed width.
Short-Angle Test
TryMake them move forward and sideways.
What are you testing?Can they handle it and recover?
What does it mean for your odds?If not, use it to drag them off the baseline.
Net Game Test
TryMake them approach the net.
What are you testing?Can they hit volleys and overheads?
What does it mean for your odds?If not, bring them up there more with drop shots.
Quick Reference Table
Build Your Percentage Map
Target Zones: Where Should I Hit My Shots?
Example - after the first 3 games, I know:
- Their backhand is weak - I win over 60% of the points when I hit to it
- I can’t allow them to hit their good short angle forehands
- They are not fast enough to handle drop shots
2-3 Go-To Patterns
Build these from your scouting info: