Tomahawk Serve BLADE DAMAGE

[Ilia Minkin]

Okay, this time I won two times in U1600 and lost two in RR and didn't advance. In U1300 I advanced, but lost in 1/4 to the same ~1200 kid I lost in U1600. First time I played him I tried to attack first and lost 1-3, second time I pushed and blocked, which seemed to work better, but I lost 1-3 again. Once the game was open, that guy just overpowered me.

 

[NextLevel]

Okay, this time I won two times in U1600 and lost two in RR and didn't advance. In U1300 I advanced, but lost in 1/4 to the same ~1200 kid I lost in U1600. First time I played him I tried to attack first and lost 1-3, second time I pushed and blocked, which seemed to work better, but I lost 1-3 again. Once the game was open, that guy just overpowered me.

Sounds like you had no bad losses which usually means a good day. Any good wins? Did you have a coach or teammate watching your games? Any video?

 

[thekleifheit13]

That's so frustrating Ilia, but you did get 2 wins in a higher division so that's something to hang your hat on! Did you ever really try to play a "true" third ball attack or did you try to safely attack first by focusing on good opening topspin? If I'm getting overpowered I start really trying to use small ball to create kill opportunities. I'm not great at it but it does work against someone that can rip through decent topspin consistently. It sounds like we strategize similarly and have sort of the same play style too!

 

[Ilia Minkin]

Well, it was actually a good day. My biggest win was against a guy who was ~1480. I had my training partner coaching me, he suggested to push/block in my last match and I didn't record video. BTW, Steel City Open is a very well organized tournament, all events started exactly in time and everything went very smooth.

 

[NextLevel]

Well, it was actually a good day. My biggest win was against a guy who was ~1480. I had my training partner coaching me, he suggested to push/block in my last match and I didn't record video. BTW, Steel City Open is a very well organized tournament, all events started exactly in time and everything went very smooth.

Very modest - you were making it sound like nothing special happened. Good job. As long as you have an idea of what you need to improve, the video is not always necessary. IT just helps with that process if your coach is not there and is willing to watch.

 

[Ilia Minkin]

That's so frustrating Ilia, but you did get 2 wins in a higher division so that's something to hang your hat on! Did you ever really try to play a "true" third ball attack or did you try to safely attack first by focusing on good opening topspin? If I'm getting overpowered I start really trying to use small ball to create kill opportunities. I'm not great at it but it does work against someone that can rip through decent topspin consistently. It sounds like we strategize similarly and have sort of the same play style too!

Well, against him I scored points mostly either by his erroneous attacks on backspin, or by smashing a popped-up serve. Once the game was open, he usually could hit winner way earlier than me.