second-serve

Last year, he had career highs in two of the most important, second-serve points won (60%) and service games won (88%).

Nadal is barreling through Australian Open draw 2009

Ranks sixth on tour this season in percentage of service games won (73.3), second in percentage of second-serve points won (50.5).

US OPEN '09: Capsules on women to watch at US Open 2009

After a delay of 1 hour, 20 minutes, Zheng earned a set point on Serena's serve at 6-5 but failed to convert, smacking a second-serve backhand return into the top of the net.

Serena and Venus earn berths in Wimbledon final 2008

Murray soldiers on though, forcing further break points and finally taking the game at the fifth attempt - obliterating Hajek's second-serve with a brutal two-handed backhand down the line.

Wimbledon 2010: Andy Murray v Jan Hajek - as it happened Paolo Bandini at Wimbledon 2010

Even when she faltered, double-faulting twice in a row, she recovered to hold for a 4-0 lead, throwing her 5-foot-5, 125-pound frame into a 110 mph service winner and a 98 mph second-serve ace.

Henin sweeps through for another U.S. Open title 2007

He won either 58% or 59% of second-serve points from 2005-2008 and is at 57% this year.

Roger Federer May Be More Machine Than Man 2009

Since 2004, his success rate on first-serve returns has been between 31% and 35%, and between 51% and 54% on second-serve returns.

Roger Federer May Be More Machine Than Man 2009

A little more than an hour later, the match resumed, with Dent breaking right back to 5-5 and then winning the first set on a 109 mph second-serve ace while a misty rain fell.

USATODAY.com - Agassi through to quarterfinals after two more rain delays 2003

Still, even some players were unaware of the importance of second-serve points.

USATODAY.com - Second serves are hardly second-rate in importance 2003

Open: Second serve ATP rank Player 2003 second-serve points won 2003 U.S.

USATODAY.com - Second serves are hardly second-rate in importance 2003