US Open players differ on how to approach the stress of a match point. Swing away or stay safe?

Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, reacts during a match against Christopher O'Connell, of Australia, at the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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By Associated Press

September 1, 2023 at 4:03 PM UTC

NEW YORK (AP) — One point from defeat against John Isner at the U.S. Open, Michael Mmoh faced a decision tennis players deal with all the time, whether on a public court or a Grand Slam stage: Swing away and go for broke? Or play it safe?

Serving at 30-40 while trailing 5-4 in the fifth set Thursday, Mmoh chose to approach the moment as if it weren’t particularly special — even if losing that point would mean losing the second-round match. So he didn’t rear back and try to smack his biggest serve of the afternoon; he made sure to get the ball in.