Dealing with Sidespin Topspin

Hi Alois and Jeff, 

Thanks for the reply on How to Counterattack. However, I now have another problem... My opponent can also counterattack, and very often he uses the sidespin topspin loop. I am able to deal with the topspin, but the ball always goes sideways more than I expect, hence causing me to miss the ball. The ball is also very fast so I have little time to react :(

So for example, after I attack, my opponent starts his counterattack and does the sidespin topspin loop. Then I am unable to return it... I have lost a lot of points because of this. Any advice on what I can do? 

Thanks. 

Cheers, Tim

Hi Tim,

Firstly tracking the ball is vital.  You have to get used to the flight of the ball with sidespin.  Then you can either use the angle of your racket to counter the sidespin on the ball and still do a forehand topspin or you can come around the outside of the ball and add your own sidespin.  Take a look at our lesson on the Sidespin Forehand Topspin for more help on this.