The growth of match analytics in tennis provides us with new insights into what actually matters to winning. It also helps us better organise the practise court at all levels of the game. Forehands and backhands typically dominate practice, as shot tolerance and repetition are developed. Serving also gets attention, as does transitioning to the net to finish with volleys and overheads. What gets left behind? The return of serve. The return of serve is without doubt the least practised shot in tennis, but it is a trademark of the best players in the game. There is a disconnect between how often this specific shot is practised, and how obviously important it is to winning tennis matches. [ALSO LIKE] An...
Watch highlights of Dominic Thiem's fourth-round win over Horacio Zeballos at Roland Garros on Sunday. Video courtesy Roland Garros. Photo: Peter Staples/ATP World Tour
Sixth seed Dominic Thiem wasted no time getting down to business on Sunday at Roland Garros, requiring just one hour and 39 minutes to book his spot in the quarter-finals over Horacio Zeballos 6-1, 6-3, 6-1. "I think it was a very good match today. It was great fun to play out there. I was enjoying basically every second of the match," said Thiem. "It's always something special to be in the second week. It's only my second [Grand Slam] quarter-final, so it feels very good to me." Thiem picked up his 33rd match win of the season, second only to Rafael Nadal (39). The victory also marks the first time he has reached a Grand Slam quarter-final without dropping...
Sixth seed Dominic Thiem ended Steve Johnson’s brave run at Roland Garros with a 6-1, 7-6(4), 6-3 victory over the American in the third round on Friday. It has been an emotional week in Paris for Johnson, whose father recently passed away. The American wept on court after his four-set battle with Borna Coric in the second round, and was embraced by Thiem as the Austrian ended his run on Court 1. [ALSO LIKE] Last year’s semi-finalist, Thiem earned his second win over Johnson in two hours and three minutes. The right-hander hit 45 winners and converted four of his 15 break points to record his 32nd match win of the season. "I think it was a good match today,...