Don't forget that you can also reduce your speed too. Once you start getting within range, go and reduce speed until you are at optimal range, then match their speed.
And the other thing to do is to increase your TG's initiative - higher initiative moves last, so if they reverse course can react rather than blowing by them.
As Father Tim says, you should be incrementing with 5s intervals when you're close....
After the last ridiculous battle I am not sure I will continue with this game I had ships that did 10k unable to run down ships doing 5k because there is no close action command - either they 'move to' the enemy fleet - and stopped where the fleet had been - or they 'follow' and maintain the same distance - never closing - twice the enemy flee t being pursued reversed course - sailed right by my pursuers and finished up beyond their range going the other way without my ships firing a shot - WTF Not being able to close on a fleeing enemy is ridiculous and stupid