Their centre-back won everything in the air – should I have stopped playing against him?

Yes, changing the contest would have been sensible. Competing honestly does not mean accepting the same unfavourable duel for ninety minutes. If the centre-back is dominant in the air, ask what causes him more difficulty. You might pull into a channel so the ball is not arriving directly onto his strongest area, drop short and make him decide whether to follow, or position for the second ball rather than trying to win every first contact. You can also change the type of service you are asking for. A ball into your feet, a pass into the side of the defender or a run across him may create a completely different problem. The useful mindset is not 'I have to beat him at his game'. It is 'what game do I want him to have to play?' Good forwards adapt the battle rather than repeatedly testing the defender's biggest strength.