Tactics For Tournament Play

Hi Coach,

I recently played in a tournament with a bad back which I have been recovering from. Despite the limitation, I did well in the tournament, taking 3rd place in one of the events. However, I came across a player who is right-handed (I'm left-handed) and who attacks or flicks primarily with his backhand. I watched him move from one side of the table to the other to favor the backhand. He does have a decent forehand which he rarely used against me. But with his backhand, I was having problems with his heavy topspin which he varied. Some he would hit short on the table and some had more speed which would go deeper on the table. I tried to get him to use his forehand more but he would quickly move into the backhand position. 

Any suggestions on how to play a dominated backhand player who loves to loop the ball? 

Hi Mike,

I would go really wide to the forehand either with the first or second ball in the rally.  As a left hander you can serve the Pendulum serve wide to the forehand.  If he goes over and plays the backhand from there he will leave the backhand area open.  The other option is that he will use his less dominant forehand.

In the rally play more to the forehand side.