He'd mistakenly thought she would still need more time to recover before striking back at him, and it becomes clear that he's been underestimating her physical abilities when he fails to step back in time to avoid the harsh blow to his still-healing wound. Because he hadn't expected it, he's had no time prepare himself against the pain, and the fact that it's hurt him is obvious—a grunt echoes out of his helmet and he stumbles back two steps, his grip on the staff loose.

Heat rises around him once again, making the air shimmer with its intensity. He's done playing.

Channeling his anger at the wound, at his last defeat, at the thought that she'd dare to hit him or keep him from what's rightfully his, he reaches out once again with the Force, his strongest skill. The only thing she's proven to resist is the invasion of her mind, and if he can pull or push her as he's been doing, he can surely freeze her in place.