Sharapova vs. Henin
© 2011 Dr Ray Brown

 
     
Aim Point Illustration: Mediocre Shot Wins

This illustration is of a point played between Sharapova and Henin in the illustration, I have placed a yellow dot where the ball landed for each player's hit in order to make the illustration more clear.

In the 17 frames to the right Sharapova, near, and Henin far, are playing a point of 17 shots. Both players stick to the textbook rally to the aim points. In this rally, an opportunity arises for Sharapova (Frame 12) when Henin hits short. Sharapova in Frame 13 hits to the aim point cross court to begin to advance her position. Henin hits even shorter in Frame 14. sharapova blocks in Frame 15 knowing that Henin will get to the ball. In Frame 16 Henin reaches the ball and hits cross court as her only option where Sharapova covers the ball and hits a mediocre shot to win the rally.

A less experienced player or a player nervous or in a hurry would likely hit over the baseline to lose the point.

Between the two players, 17 out of 17 balls are hit to the aim points. Thus 100% the time, players hit to the aim points.

Figure 1