Attacking from angles

I have a friend who often, when I am not expecting it, plays the ball fast to the side of the table. I have trouble getting it back so that he can't smash it.  I also don't know if there is a way to attack from this angle. Thanks, Ciaran.

Hi Ciaran,

You should first think about making good position with your feet and then making a topspin stroke back to him.  You should try to go wide back to him so that his only option next is to play it back across court.  The shot down the line is a really difficult one to play.