Flavia Pennetta Photos: Picture Gallery of Strokes

As do most advanced tennis players, Flavia Pennetta hits her forehand with either an open stance or a square stance, depending on the situation. This photo shows the early phase of her swing on an open-stance forehand. Pennetta's weight is on her right leg, which provides the main upward drive for the stroke. Her upper body has begun to uncoil counterclockwise, contributing lots of rotational energy to the swing. With Flavia's Semi-Western grip, her strings face distinctly downward on the backswing. They will reach a vertical plane at the point of contact with the ball.