@LindenJohan@tennisabstract@matchcharting Good question. A down-the-middle approach can create pressure depending on depth & court position. If it pushes the opponent back while the hitter moves forward, the next shot becomes a pass under pressure. Some see the miss caused by that pressure, others see it as a missed pass
If someone hits an approach shot down the middle and the opponent misses the next ball��
Is that a forced error or unforced error? I analyzed ~8,800 Match Charting Project matches to see how consistently charters answer that question.
https://t.co/zSSv1CHwNT
Watch especially for:
2nd serve returns
Post-serve positioning (inside vs behind baseline)
Whether Shelton chooses to shorten rallies, or gets dragged into them
Shelton vs Sinner - one tactical fault line to watch:
If rallies routinely pass 7 shots, Shelton’s win probability collapses unless he’s the one changing direction first.
Shelton’s serve + first forehand buys him points early.
But when Sinner absorbs and extends, and Shelton’s court position drifts backward, he loses initiative.
This analysis is strictly descriptive. No prediction, no coaching claims.
Just what’s actually happened historically, point by point, in this matchup.
Curious to see if tonight looks any different.
To compete, the data suggests De Minaur would need:
Much deeper return positioning
Fewer high-risk direction changes
More aggressive post-serve positioning
Whether that’s realistic mid-match is another question.