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Having watched the Murray – Gasquet match at Wimbledon yesterday, it reminded me how all sporting contests, with squash no exception, can be massively affected by momentum swings.

Mid-way through the third set Gasquet was on fire. Two sets to love up, He was cruising through his service games, and had Murray battling in each of his.

At this point of the match an awesome stat came up. Gasquet 39 winners, 7 unforced errors. Incredible tennis. Gasquet was “in the zone”, “in a purple patch”. How was Murray going to turn this around?

What he clearly needed was a huge change in momentum.

At the same time, Murray, who was later to look mercurial, was missing balls he would usually eat up. All those half chances that might go in were clipping the net and dropping on his side.

Gasquet finally broke Murray in the 9th game to go 5-4 up, serving for the match. 6 points later and momentum had switched to Murray, with a couple of rasping ground strokes and a break back. Crucially here, not only did Murray start to impose himself on the match, but now the heat was on Gasquet in terms of the score line, and his opponent, Gasquet started to crack – he double faulted to lose his serve. Gasquet was never to recover with Murray storming through the third set tie break with some inspirational tennis.

At this point Murray greeted every winning rally with a huge roar and fist pump. The Partisan crowd were going bananas.

The rest is history, with Murray winning comfortably from here 3 sets to 2. Gasquet played the first 2 and a half sets with 7 unforced errors. He played the next 2 and a half with 30.

Matches can sometimes swing on several momentum changes.

Take the Nicol David – Natalie Grinham World Open final in Belfast 2006.
David could not win a rally at the start. Grinham was quick error free and firing the occasional winner after long brutal rallies. 9-1 Grinham. The second was closer, with Grinham controlling 3-0 up, 7-5 up. Then a slight loss of concentration, an error, a well constructed rally from David and she temporarily has the momentum. This is enough to win the game and keep her in the match, as game 3 was as the first. A long game with an easy score 9-3. Then in the fourth Grinham started to tire just a little, and this was all the light at the end of the tunnel David needed. A final momentum shift in favour of David, and with it the World title in the longest ever final.

So how can we try to manipulate momentum to our advantage?

•    Firstly, and most importantly, we must never give up. You never know what might happen if you start to play better. What will happen if the crowd gets on his/her back, or behind you? What happens if they start thinking about an injury they came onto court with? How will they react if they get a shocker form the ref? If the ball breaks, will they play so well with a flying new ball? All these things can affect your opponent, and might just flip the match on its head.

•    Secondly, you can try to play better! I know this is in some way useless advice, as I know we all go on trying to play our best and win the match. However, if you are having a bad day, just two or three rallies can turn it around for you, and put doubts in your opponents head.

•    Thirdly, you can try a different tactic. Will your opponent seem as omnipotent if he/she constantly has to deal with steepling lobs? Can they cope with a faster pace? Ask your opponent some different questions from which you have been asking so far in the match.

•    Fourthly, remember that momentum can swing right back if you don’t manage your game and emotions properly. One silly shot selection can give your opponent the inspiration they need to stage a fight back.  Murray did this so well after his tumultuous third set win. He was shouting and screaming as never before, and the start of the fourth was a dangerous time. He knew this, kept his emotions, shot selection and game in check and came through.

Finally, when you are staring down both barrels, and you are receiving at match ball, have belief. People have come back before and it might just be you on that day. Believe, fight, and as Murray and Nicol David did, you might reap the benefits.