Konta vs. Vondrousova French Open 2019 Women's Semi-Final Match Analysis
The Women's Semi-Final between Johanna Konta (United Kingdom) and Marketa Vondrousova (Czech Republic) was a classic match that came down to one player winning 53% of the total points. Here is how the numbers break down:
The perception that players win matches by a large margin is an illusion and this match was no exception. As we look into the data analytics for this match, we will discover that the deciding points when momentum shifted from one player to the next were between the 0-4 shot rally length which accounted for 72% of all points played.
The story of this match can be summed up by understanding momentum through what I've come to call the Momentum Scoring System. Most players will focus more on the Game Score (15-30-40-Game) than the Momentum Score (winning 2 or 3 points in a row). Momentum is gained by winning the moment, in fact, winning moments in consecutive order. For example: Moment + Moment = Momentum
Winning moment to moment over and over again brings the tide of momentum your way.
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Winning the Moment Part 1 (Becoming a Competitor)
Winning the Moment Part 2 (To Play or Not to Play)
Let's start by looking at the Tennis MapPlay Analytics and what the data from the App can tell us about how to create a Momentum Flow Chart, Momentum Score Chart, as well as how to read the various charts to determine where and why points were won and lost throughout this Semi-Final match.
As you can see here in the Tennis MapPlay Match Analysis Chart for Set 1, the total points, shots and average rally length for the Set is shown here. Also, the # of points in each phase of the point. 77% of all points in the 1st Set ended somewhere between 0-4 shots. Looking at the Rally Length Win/Loss Ratio Chart, the number of points won in each shot length is shown. This chart is helpful in that it shows you 'when' a point was won or lost and inspire better dialogue between player and coach as to the 'why'. Practice plans can then be modified to yield better performance in the particular phases of the point a player and coach decide need more attention. For example, the Return (R) and the S2 (2nd shot after the Serve) have a negative win/loss ratio of -11 (almost 3 games lost on these two particular shots).
Let's move forward to the Point to Point Analysis and how the Momentum Scoring System can quantify momentum shifts in the 1st Set. Using the Point to Point Chart in the App, each point that is mapped shows the number of successful shots for the point, the First Strike Combination (if mapped by the user), and the corresponding game score.
With this data, a report can be generated to show from game to game where each player earned Momentum and Conversion points. Keep in mind that the Game Score ENDS when the game is complete, however, the Momentum Score carries over from game to game. This is the biggest difference between the Momentum Score and Game Score and how focusing on the Momentum Score is the key to capturing and keeping the momentum of the game, set, and match.
Momentum Point - when a player wins 2 consecutive points
Conversion Point - when a player wins 3 consecutive points
The shots that are surrounded by a BOLD BOX are Conversion Points and the shots that are BOLD only are Momentum Points.
Konta - Red / Vondrousova - Blue
11 out of the 12 games played in Set 1, either a Momentum or Conversion point was scored by one or both players. The Point to Point Chart helps created a Momentum Flow Chart which come next.
The Momentum FLOW Chart gives a drone view separating perception from reality. It shows the moment to moment shifts from player to player as well as the shot rally length for each mapped point on the graph. You can also click on the Konta vs. Vondrousova 2019 Set 1 French Open SemiFinals FLOW .pdf file to be able to zoom in and out to see more clearly the shot rally length at different places in each game.
If we compare the R (Return) errors on the Rally Length Win/Loss Ratio Chart with 'when' they were committed, it shines a light on how Konta lost the momentum after doing a brilliant job of capturing and holding on through the first 6 games. In the video below I explain how a few key errors caused Konta to lose her 4-2 and then 5-3 lead in Set 1 with regards to how, when, and why momentum shifted away from her to Vondrousova.
Below is the Video Analysis of the actual points that pivoted the momentum in the 1st Set from Konta to Vondrousova. I talk more about how I believe the missed Returns in Game 5 influenced the missed Returns in Game 9 when Konta needed to execute solid Returns to win the 1st Set.
As you can see here in the Tennis MapPlay Match Analysis Chart for Set 2, the total points, shots and average rally length for the Set is shown here. Also, the # of points in each phase of the point. 67% of all points in the 2nd Set ended somewhere between 0-4 shots. Looking at the Rally Length Win/Loss Ratio Chart, the number of points won in each shot length is shown. Even though she Served well in the 2nd Set, notice when Konta was Returning her numbers fell into the negative differential in all 3 phases of rally length.
The Point to Point Analysis and how the Momentum Scoring System can quantify momentum shifts in the 2nd Set. Using the Point to Point Chart in the App, each point that is mapped shows the number of successful shots for the point, the First Strike Combination (if mapped by the user), and the corresponding game score.
With this, a report can be generated showing where in each game that players earned Momentum and Conversion points.
The shots that are surrounded by a BOLD BOX are Conversion Points and the shots that are BOLD only are Momentum Points.
Konta - Red / Vondrousova - Blue
Set 2 revealed a similar pattern in momentum shifts to Set 1, once again Konta captured the momentum of the Set through game 6 and was unable to sustain momentum with sequential 2-shot combinations and patterns. Here in this next video I once again visit the idea of playing 2-shot sequential patterns instead of hitting isolated shots within the First Strike (0-4) and Patterns of Play (5-8) phases of the point.
Below is the Video Analysis of the actual points that pivoted the momentum in the 2nd Set from Konta to Vondrousova. I talk more about how I believe the missed Return and R1 shots in Game 5 influenced the missed Returns in Game 9 when Konta needed to execute solid Returns to win the 2ndSet.