The match was played on March 18th, 2025 at the ITF W75 in Maribor, Slovenia
In the post-match debrief, my coach sarcastically said, “You should write a blog about everything that happened during the match.” He was joking, but this might be the only way to wrap my head around today’s loss in Maribor, Slovenia. I couldn’t answer his key questions about the match: how did she ace me so much? How did you lose the points? What happened in the key moments?
I lost 6:2, 7:6 (7) to higher-ranked French player Jessika Ponchet. The match was an emotional blur for me. So, let’s break it down together.
(Some of the analysis has been redacted due to tactics and strategy, but the majority has been kept intact.)
The first set
The difference in the first set was a more potent serve + 1 playing from Ponchet. Although I was objectively stronger, more creative and comfortable in the longer rallies, I was consistently outplayed in the shorter points. Her return game was also better than mine, albeit because of my very low first-serve percentage and a nervous mindset on the second serve. This gave her the perfect opportunity to gain an immediate advantage.
The statistics support my theory; she hit 7 aces in the match, while I hit 1. I was hanging on well at the beginning of the set due to a few of her double faults and missed first serves. However, it was hard for me to compete when she sharpened up her first serve + 1 combination at 2:2, 40:0. I had a chance to get a big break, but I did not rise to the challenge as she did.
Surprisingly, the set was much better than I felt on the court. After seeing it from an outside perspective, I was pleasantly surprised by my longer rally points. I successfully implemented a few new elements that I have been working on. It was actually much better than I thought.
This disappointment came from the significant disparity between our serve percentages. The better professional players will do this very successfully. They will make you feel like you are working hard for nothing because they will hit a winner or an ace right after you grinded out a long point.
The first set was a constant battle for our chances, which Ponchet was much more successful at taking. One of my key chances was a 2:2 break point. Like everyone, I need to be much more disciplined and focused on the shorter balls. The seemingly most straightforward shots are sometimes the hardest to make, especially when we go for too much.
Second set
I start the second set with weak serves, unconfident shots, and impatient and unfocused misses. 0:2. But it’s not over for me yet. I slowly yet surely build on the positive things from the first set. I focus on improving and capitalising on them. I push the match into longer points, where I have more space to create. I “settle” into the match and slowly find a way to be competitive—a slow and steady level of improvement from me.
As I keep pushing and building, Ponchet loses an important opportunity to increase the break to 3:0. While steadily sharpening my game, Ponchet drops by a few percentage points, bringing me back into the match. I am now getting more comfortable with my tennis, and we keep fighting neck and neck for the rest of the set.
It’s 5:4, I am on serve, and I do not close the set. Why? I worked hard to put myself in this position – improving my tennis level throughout the match and even being the one to dictate in most of the second set. I start with a flawless first point. I attempt to continue the momentum but miss a crucial closing ball. Remember those “easy” ones I was talking about? Granted, it was a good defensive shot from Ponchet, right under my feet on the net. I was caught between a volley and a regular backhand, consequently launching it out.
This shakes my confidence. I start rushing. One double fault here, a good shot from my opponent there, and the game is out of my hands. We kept fighting for the rest of the set until 7:9 in the tiebreak, but this game was my key chance. This was the opportunity to take what was in my hands and keep improving my tennis level into the third set. And then, who knows what would have happened?
I similarly lost the tiebreak. I took the lead with confidence and conviction but became a bit too overzealous. This led to misses and nerves, which a good opponent capitalises on. It’s a tale as old as time.
Both of these instances are the moments when a player needs to refocus. There are entire books on this topic: that’s how often it occurs in professional sports. I need to breathe and return to my game plan. If the opponent plays too well, that’s okay. There’s nothing I can do about that. But I must be in the best position to fight, especially mentally.
Overall
I need to bring my backswing back faster.
I need to compliment myself more.
I need to pat myself on the back more.
I need to jump up on the serve.
I need to focus on what I am doing well, even if I’m losing.
I need to breathe before big points.
I need to believe in myself.
Just because I lost a point or a game doesn’t mean I didn’t do some things well. Maybe the way she always shut me down after a good point made me exceptionally feel like this. I had little room to build on my good points and “get in the groove”. But I did it anyway. I kept pushing forward and made the match very competitive. This match shows that I felt much worse than it looked – I did some good things but wasn’t sharp on my chances.
The things that my coach and I are working on are truly paying off, which I can see when rewatching. So, even though I didn’t win, I need to see progress for what it is—not linear, but a slow, steady improvement. Looking at the bigger picture, that is what is most important.
Since I steadily improved throughout the match, I believe I would have kept refining my tennis. I could not guarantee a win, but I could make sure there would be a fight.
Point-by-point analysis
If you’re interested, below are my raw and unedited notes from rewatching the match. Each sentence corresponds with the point-by-point order from the match.
0:0
On return
Started out very solid with decent returns, but she helped with out with two doubles faults so I got the break in the first game
1:0
On serve
Double faulted immediately on second point
And then on the 4th point again
First serve percentage very low
Keep collapsing down over the ball with my upper body
Body language – upset with having to move balls and clearly annoyed at missing all the first serves
I’m not very fast with my feet, footwork is slow and split step is not light, fast, or explosive
Once in the ralleys I am still staying strong with decent pace and big targets
Had a break to go up 2:0 but did not move quickly enough or have fast enough back swing – should’ve been ready earlier
Again on her game point – same problem, don’t move back racket fast enough
Weak serving, then she kills my second serve and I get into defense
1:1
On return
I get on defense a few times immediately, she played well
Good rally and I work to get an easier shot, but I slow down my hand and don’t fully commit through it. I get scared – it’s the closed stance shot that I’ve been working on.
Got the same shot a few points later and committed properly and it was a winner.
She serves well – still not a crazy high 1st serve percentage yet, but when she hits it its tough to return – I return solid though
1:2:
On serve
Great serving in this game, strong in the ralleys. Playing fast, aggressive yet high margin shots. Used an angle well to set up an approach winner.
2:2
On return
Great returning in this game to get up to 40:0.
Then lost one point because of tough serve, slow split step and lack of quick movement to the side. Second because of another great serve. Third was a great rally that I defended and played very well to fight for a shorter one, but I did not handle the defensive slice from her well. I did not get low with my legs or use my wrist enough and sent it flying out. 40:40.
Good serving + 1 from her to get the game.
A big chance lost by me. When she hits a good serve its okay, but I should be much sharper on the short slice.
2:3
On serve
Still staying in it and fighting – just wasn’t perfect so I shanked a backhand.
In the points I am actually overpowering her and playing better, just not closing or being as precise with my footwork as I should be.
Bad first serve percentage, getting winners off of the second. Why am I hitting it to her forehand? (I know why, cause I was struggling to kick it to the backhand).
Still playing decent.
Stream disappeared from 30:30 to 2:4. Ugh what happened there, that was a key moment in the match.
2:4
On return
Good serve + 1 from her again. She’s beating me on the shorter ralleys, the longer ones I am actually handling slightly better.
Ace.
Another ace.
And a good serve.
2:5
My set up for my shots is too slow sometimes. I need to be fast. BUM BUM. Not slow. That’s why I get caught late on these fast courts. She hit a good return and I catch it late.
But I’m still trying, a good serve + 1 point from me.
Overall low first serve percentage though. Collapsing down.
Double fault.
Winner off the second serve.
Solid last point from her – I was in it but hit it a bit too weak to the middle, she runs around and hits an inside out winner. Set’s over.
2:6, 0:0
On return
Getting into the rally, but missed backhand slice wide from her
Solid serve and approach
My returns need to go deeper.
Again I miss a forehand fast middle because of a late backswing.
Good job turning defense into offense twice.
I am focused on getting it into longer ralleys now and it’s working when I do.
Great aggressive rally shots to push her backhand back and force an error
Ace.
Nice return setup and forcing an error.
Good serve wide.
Forehand wide error slightly long. But still a good return before that! A decent game actually and proves that I am still in the match – I improved on the good things I was doing in the first set.
0:1
On serve
I’m rushing on the first serve. I need to take more time before it to relax.
I really don’t like my outfit in this match.
Or that backhand in the net from a short slice. Get lower and bring it up over the net and close it with more spin.
Double fault.
Hit balls too short and with not enough power.
0:2
On return
Great playing from me, good hustle and fight to then get the shorter ball. That’s the way.
Great placement and depth in the rally. Drop shot off of a short slice, smart tennis.
Good serve.
Ace.
Bad miss from Ponchet, I got lucky there. Almost gave her a look at 3:0.
Strong return and a late hit from her. By the skin of my teeth I am back in the match.
1:2
On serve
Good serve
Long rally, lucky net-cord for me
A short ball miss, get your legs underneath that.
Good backhand defense and great depth on the shots, just slightly long.
First serve percentage is still not great, but my second serve is doing more this set which is helping.
Great aggressive tennis with big targets, way to stay on top of the slices
2:2
On return
Good serve
Solid depth on shots
Good serve +1
Bad return
Good serve
2:3
On serve
Good serve
Easy mistake on second shot – stay focused
Good depth in the ralleys
I am much more solid now all around
Really strong tennis. First serve percentage still needs to be higher though. But it is much better.
I am moving fast, defending better, and playing much stronger.
3:3
On return
Good serve
Shorter backswing on the return! Caught it late.
Smart serve + 1 play from her.
Rushed a backhand right after the return.
Bad game from me and a decent serve game from her. Wasn’t competitive enough and didn’t come up to the net more often after my shots. I need to believe and back myself
Good serve and play from Ponchet
Bad backhand return again, same as the last 2. That’s three of the same ones and that’s why I lost the game. It was a good serve from her, but needs a shorter backswing from me.
3:4
On serve
Good serve. Good serve and strong tennis afterwards. Great job moving her left and right with pace/placement to then find the approach to the net.
Good shot from her.
Really strong solid depth and speed to force an error from her. Stayed very low with my legs and compact with my body.
Good serve + 1. Probably the best serving game so far.
4:4
On return
Standing my ground to then finding the offence well.
Double fault
Good serve and coming onto volleys, I mishit a lob on the run. That’s okay
Good return
Great return and backhand approach shot winner
5:4
On serve
Good serve to her backhand body
Good serve, great inside out forehand and looking for the approach and hitting a left left approach shot. Great rally but miss a short backhand after good defence from her. I’m finally playing very well, being aggressive and believing in myself.
Double fault. That’s unacceptable at this time in the match. Shows nerves and although I am playing well now, I still feel some residual nerves and low confidence after the first set.
Good defence from me but not good enough. Need to be faster with my movement after the serve, she hit a lob and one deep shot in this rally and I could’ve hit it much better if I moved faster.
Weak second serve and she approaches and comes on to the net
5:5
On return
Clearly a bit discouraged after losing the previous game, I am not stepping into the shots as strongly as I was before.
Great job coming to the net.I need to be faster to the balls, but I play it well irregardless and get some confidence back.
Double fault. Her first serve percentage has gone down from the middle of this second set.
Got caught on the back foot on my backhand. Need to prepare faster with my feet and step into it
Same kind of backhand like the previous, but on return this time. Shorter backswing on returns I’m clearly getting frustrated.
Good rally
5:6
On serve
Good serve
Miss the first serve so automatically go on defence, defending needs to be deeper
Good aggressive play, she just gets lucky with the net cord
She misses an approach, my shot needs to be deeper irregardless
Great tennis from me, serve + 1 strong forehand line and then a put away swinging volley
Good serve and a bad return from her
6:6
Tiebreak
Great return + 1, strong and confident start
Great serve + 2 aggressive shots
Dropshot off of her low forehand, great thinking
Good try on the return off the second serve, but I overshoot it and hit too far deep
Ace from her
Great rally and moving her around with big targets, finally stepping in to a shorter middle ball to hit a winner
Hit a forehand a bit too casually and with not enough conviction to miss it a foot deep. Was just trying to hit it in and not with any purpose. I need to stay strong and keep going for it. From this point onwards at 4:2 I kind of stopped swinging and playing with confidence
Good serve from her
Good return
5:4 – don’t move back fast enough after the serve and she hits a great deep return, which I just get back but it’s too short and she then hits an easy winner
Good serve and good movement after serve to place the +1 well, then she misses
My set point: Great point from both, I held my ground but got pushed back little by little and then I finally miss on the run. I am playing quite solid, it still could be a bit more aggressive though. I aimed for the middle too much.
Stayed on defence and did not play aggressive, then hit a forced error
Her match point: Great serve and approach from me
Missed the first serve and she capitalised on my second serve to push me back and force a error. I need to go faster after the serve though.
Second match point: Good serve from her. push her like in the games before.