What I love about this highlight video of Martina Hingas and Sania Mirza vs. Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka is the consistently high quality of play shown throughout the match.
Here are 5 keys shown in this highlight clip to look for to sharpen your own doubles skills:
- Doubles points are won at the net and lost at the baseline (unless there is a stroke weakness or tactical error, like a poacher leaving too early).
- The purpose of either a serve or return in doubles is to get the point started.
- The best place to volley in doubles when you have the chance is either between the players (and behind the net player if they are in a one up, one back formation) or wide past the net player in the alley.
- It is very hard to pass a good volleyer in doubles because he or she is always wishing for a chance to get into the action.
- One of the most common mistakes doubles players make (even at this level) is the volleyer trying to hit a wide shot down the middle that is hard for the volleyer and easy for her partner to hit. So long as both players are in position, the volleyer should wait for a ball that can be hit for a set-up (creating an opening or forcing an error) or a put away (to an opening or past a player).
Enjoy!