Davis Cup Analysis
11/28/2023
Miomir Kecmanović should arguably be in the top 25 based on skill level, but ranks just below 50 on the charts.
Tennis fans, media, and evidently Kecmanović himself were surprised by his selection as the second ranked singles competitor behind Novak Djokovic. The shock was short lived, as Kecmanović delivered a win in straight sets to defeat British 21-year-old Jack Draper. This mini-analysis will dissect the reasons for his success and the possibility of future triumphs.
vs. Jack Draper
Against Draper, Kecmanović played the majority of the match in a counter-punching style, attempting to force his opponent into errors. Draper’s groundstrokes are powerful, but Kecmanović redirected this pace into deep, heavy, and equally powerful returns. This does not let up when Kecmanović is asked to attack. Both his forehand and backhand possess the same pace with an increased level of accuracy.
Both Draper and Kecmanović played with standard amounts of variation. In order for the Serbian to miss, Draper needed to make a play. Draper was not going to out-hit Kecmanović, even with his improved baseline play. Unfortunately for Draper, this resulted in (according to the Davis Cup) 52 unforced errors to Kecmanović’s 16. If Draper’s slice backhand and net rushing were executed to a higher level, Kecmanović may have found himself in trouble in the earlier two sets.
The match Kecmanović played against Lorenzo Musetti was not only a testament to his quality as a player, but also as a competitor. As Kecmanović was serving for the first set, Musetti broke back. Following this point, Musetti played some of the best tennis of his life before he crashed back down to earth mid-way through the second set. The Serbian number two remained steady, not changing his approach to the match or his outward-facing demeanor.
In terms of strategy, it was Kecmanović’s turn to play with more variation. He came to the net more often, smashing drive volleys off of his first serve. The courts in Málaga were slick and speedy, forcing Musetti’s hand on the return. Kecmanović charged the net with frequency during rallies. His excellent reflexes and touch forced Musetti to expend too much energy early on.
In both matches, Kecmanović showcased expert hand skills. His feel of the racket on both his forehand and backhand sides allowed him to find sharp angles. This forced his opposition to move into uncomfortable positions. If he was unable to find a winner right away, he hammered the ball from the baseline or charged the net off of a poor return.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, Serbia were unable to go through against Italy due to an inspired (to say the least) Jannik Sinner. Fans can expect good things from Miomir Kecmanović for next season. Nevertheless, his lack of consistency would suggest that he may never reach the heights he is capable of.