Forehand, one lethal weapon, too easy

Forget those unforced errors and double faults, sit back and enjoy the forehand. Sania Mirza8217;s first match on home ground since acquiri...

Forget those unforced errors and double faults, sit back and enjoy the forehand. Sania Mirza8217;s first match on home ground since acquiring superstar status was a facile 6-2, 6-2 win over Japan8217;s Junri Namigata but it was enough to give her fans a first-hand glimpse of what the latest buzz on the international women8217;s tennis circuit 8212; that forehand 8212; was all about.

The large number of unforced errors today 8212; and it is an unseemly figure 8212; might make you believe the forehand is a weapon of futility but the stats don8217;t agree. It is, instead, a weapon of utility, like Tendulkar8217;s straight drive, a high percentage shot that succeeds when it is needed the most see box.

Her forehand isn8217;t a one-dimensional stroke, no more than Sania is a one-trick pony. She has three types of forehand shots: a service return, a hit from the baseline and the stroke to a short ball that lands near the service line8212; the one she dismisses with contempt.

For the service return, she stands on the baseline and waits for the ball to her right. She bends and despatches the ball with minimum backlift. If the ball crosses the net it8217;s likely to hit the baseline or one of the sidelines.

At times Namigata hadn8217;t even finished the service follow-through before the ball was safely in the hands of a ballboy.

nbsp;	WINNING STROKE

		nbsp;	8226; Sania8217;s crucial forehands winners today First set: Down 1-2, 15-40: Two winners, saves break Tied 2-2: Two forehand winners at 0-0 and 40-0, breaks Leads 3-2: Two winners at 15-15 and 30-40, saves break Leads 4-2: Two winners gives her 30-0 lead, breaks Total winners: Eight Second set: Tied 0-0: Winners at 0-0, 15-15, 40-30, breaks Leads 1-0: Winner at 40-30, saves break Leads 2-1: Winners at 0-0, 15-0, 40-15, saves break Leads 4-2: Winners 30-40, 40-40, A-40, breaks Total winners: 10	nbsp;

The one from the baseline is the classic stroke. A few measured steps towards the ball, a roll of the wrists, the ball rockets forward, dangerously parallel to the net-cord, and hits the line.

The beauty of this stroke is that fact that a flick of wrist can change the direction of the ball at the last moment.

Story continues below this ad

The short ball hit is the crowd favourite. It8217;s the one with maximum action and obvious result, making you feel almost sorry for the ball.

Happily, she is in the care of two people who enjoy the forehand. Every time the forehand hit the net, John Farrington and Enrico Piperno seemed least perturbed; instead of shaking their heads, they were nodding in appreciation. The message was clear: Let it rip, Sania. Four-odd years ago Kolkata went crazy over the wristwork of a certain Hyderabadi.

In the next few days, at the adjacent arena, memories of VVS Laxman could come flooding back watching Sania8217;s skills.

Sandeep Dwivedi

Sandeep Dwivedi is the Sports Editor at The Indian Express. He is one of India's most prominent sports journalists, known for his deep analytical insights and storytelling that often goes beyond scores and statistics to explore the human and cultural side of sports. Professional Profile Role: As the Sports Editor, he leads the sports coverage for the newspaper and the website. Weekly Column: He writes "The Sports Column," a weekly feature where he provides sharp, narrative-driven perspectives on the biggest sporting news of the week. Podcast: He is a frequent contributor to the "Express Sports" podcast (Game Time), where he discusses evolving trends in cricket and other international sports. Areas of Expertise While Dwivedi covers the entire sporting spectrum, his work is particularly noted in the following areas: Cricket: He provides extensive coverage of the Indian National Team and the IPL. He frequently analyzes the leadership styles of figures like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Gautam Gambhir. He is known for tracking the transition phases of Indian cricket and the evolution of specific players like Kuldeep Yadav and Rishabh Pant. Athletics & Olympic Sports: He has written extensively on Neeraj Chopra’s rise in javelin, the nuances of Indian shooting, and tennis legends like Sania Mirza and Leander Paes. Human Interest Stories: A hallmark of his writing is his focus on the struggles and backgrounds of athletes, such as the sacrifices made by Shafali Verma’s father or the "silent battles" of veteran players like Cheteshwar Pujara. Notable Recent Work & Themes Leadership and Dynamics: Recently, he has written about the dynamic between Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, arguing that personal friendship is not a prerequisite for team success. Sports & Culture: His articles often intersect with global culture, such as his deep dive into the 100-year legacy of the Harlem Globetrotters and their role as American soft power during the Cold War. The "Grey Areas" of Sport: He often addresses sensitive topics like the mental health of cricketers post-retirement, the "outrage industry" in sports broadcasting, and the impact of fan-wars on the game. Tenure and Experience Dwivedi has been with The Indian Express for over three decades. This experience allows him to provide historical context to modern sporting events, often comparing current crises or triumphs to those of previous generations. You can follow his latest work and columns on his official Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More