Hey Don,
Yes this is definitely tricky when you come up against these type of shots. The best way is to try to add your own topspin back to the opponent and this will help control the sidespin and allow you to place the ball where you want easier. So try to really focus on brushing the ball well and trying to accelerate through the contact to get your own spin on it. Sometimes the best way is also trying to resctrict these type of players from using thier forehand too much, so try pinning him down the backhand corner and I’m sure he will start to move around and use his forehand from there which will leave gaps wide in his forehand corner open to attack.
Lastly I would say you do have the right idea to try not to be forced back, stay close and at the table. With practice at doing this and trying to play a positive topspin shot back I think you will see a difference!
Let us know how you get on. Dan 🙂
