Photo Study of James Blake's Strokes

Shortly before contact on his forehand swing, Blake's upper body has begun to uncoil, his arm is pulling the racquet forward, and his wrist remains laid back so that its forward flex just before contact will add to the racquet head speed. Notice how much the muscles of James's right leg are pushing upward and forward to contribute to his swing. The position of his racquet slightly below the ball indicates that he'll hit some topspin. Most players who use a Semi-Western grip like his do so in large part because it encourages and enhances topspin, but hitting flatter forehands Semi-Western is also reasonably comfortable.