Most people analyzing James Blake’s game say his forehand is the big weapon
and the key shot. But how he’s hitting his backhand is a much more accurate
barometer of how his game is faring.
Blake pretty much always goes for the forehand. But when he’s stepping in,
taking his backhand early and hitting winners off that wing, that’s when
he’s toughest to beat. This is a backhand that is capable of winners off the
return of first or second serves. This backhand is capable of completely
controlling the point. Blake does not have to run around his backhand as he
is wont to do. He can just go ahead and rip it. He also possesses a good
defensive slice.
When Blake’s game is not on, he’s not trying to make anything happen with
the backhand. More often than not he’s just rolling it up the middle of the
court, waiting to get the forehand. Then, if the forehand is off, he’s got
no game and down he goes.
Flip the script to him hitting backhand down-the-line returns of serve. The
foot steps inside the baseline and contact is made early, taking time away
from the server. Further, when the backhand is on, Blake’s court positioning
is better. That is, he’s not taking so many extra steps to get around to the
forehand and kind of hanging around the left side of the court hitting the
inside out forehand time and time again. He, and anyone for that matter, can
control the centre of the court much better if he’s willing to hit just as
many backhands as forehands.
In a game where coaches preach to attack the opponent’s weakness, Blake does
not have a physical weakness. The forehand is so hot it sizzles. Even more
so than Andy Roddick’s. The backhand, again, is a formidable weapon. The
serve is big enough to go unchallenged over the course of an entire match.
His speed, quickness and court coverage are eye popping. All that is lacking
is what’s in his shaven head. Blake’s favourite team is the New York Mets,
whose motto is “You gotta believe”. Blake’s gotta believe in himself and in
his game. He’s gotta believe in his shots on both sides of the court.
Granted, he doesn’t have the inborn grit of Lleyton Hewitt, the fire of
Rafael Nadal or the unshakable confidence of Roger Federer. But his game is
full of enough aggression to overcome that shortcoming. By virtue of his
talent, Blake should be chilling in the top four, not hanging on to the top
10 by his fingernails.
Nadal has yet to figure out how to beat a hot Blake on a hard court. He’s
5-0 against Davydenko. Against Roddick, his superior backhand and
athleticism should win the day. And his game matches up well against Federer,
too. Yes, Federer. Blake can put pressure on anyone. He was on the verge of
taking a set from Federer in a Masters Series event last year and in fact
did take a set in the quarters of the U.S. Open. Blake must learn to brush
aside the lesser-ranked players more easily so he can continue to get to the
matches against the other big boys of the sport. After all, the only way you
can beat them is to play them.
If Blake makes it to the final in Cincinnati - and he should - the U.S. Open
is looking very interesting. He next goes to New Haven where his fans can
literally scream him to victory. (Anyone who has not experienced the
J-Block, should).
With Federer looking human these days and Nadal’s fitness in question, the
stars are aligned for Blake to have a memorable two weeks at Flushing
Meadow.