Daily Data Viz: Importance of first serve in the men's game
How important is the first serve in the men's game? Let’s take a look at the points won on first serve and second serve for the four quarterfinalists in the bottom half of the draw:
Comparatively, there is less disparity between points won and lost for servers that don’t go as big on the first serve. Roger Federer and Richard Gasquet exemplify this trait and are the more efficient servers as a whole. As for the big servers, Wawrinka and Anderson, the difference between getting their first serves in play and having to hit a second serve is substantial. The success of their game is heavily dependent on getting first serves in play. What will happen when the efficient servers and the big servers meet in the quarterfinals?
Check SI.com's 2015 U.S. Open data hub page throughout the whole tournament for the latest data-driven infographics and charts from IBM, the official technology partner for the U.S. Open. IBM captures and analyzes the data that powers all of the Grand Slams, as well as the digital platforms that extend the experience to fans around the world.
