One of the four styles of tennis play is the “counter puncher.” A counter puncher consistently returns every ball to their opponent and relies on their opponent to make mistakes. You will lose to a counter puncher if you try to beat them at their own game. They’ve been doing it longer than you and they will do it better than you.
To beat a counter puncher, you have to work the point. Hit the ball deep and heavy, so that you can open up the court and make your move.