Counterattack vs initiating an attack

Hello Alois And Jeff.

Today I had a tournament and there was a strange thing happening:

When I played a powerful player absolutely out of my ability, I played powerful modern defense game, every loop, every chop went in, I was even able to play counterattacking strokes from all distances, eventually gaining the upper hand over the more experienced attacker during some points in a point-blank range battle. In two rallies I was even able to get into a rapid fast attacks barrage and eventually get to a final bomb.

Though then I played against much weaker player.  I was unable to do anything with him.
I kept hitting edges and fingers no matter of the type of strokes.
Despite that he used only one serve for the whole match+clearly readable.  I was unable to return it properly every 2nd-3rd ball was hit by a thumb, wrist or edge.

Even when I managed to get into chopping rhythm, he simply stopped using the correct wide stance, just came to the table and smacked, with legs together, with basically no technique just like he was killing a fly. Even when the ball was low.

When I got into looping rhythm (which was more often as he did not attack unless I chopped for a long time with pips), I eventually forced him back, increased the height and decreased the depth and when I had a high ball close to the net, I always bombed it - but it landed on the top of the net and went out. Or if I attempted a dropshot, I hit it with and edge/finger and it went out or into the net.

What could cause this all?

Thanks

DK

Hi DK,

It may just be the speed of the ball from the different players.  The faster ball from the better player may suit you better.

It may also be that against the better player you were more relaxed as you felt you were not under pressure to win whereas against the weaker player you may have felt a little more pressure.

That is another reason this game is so good and difficult to master.