Peng utilises her double-handed play style to create flat groundstrokes with which she can catch her opponents off-guard. Also she employs a decent serve and good net skills
Here a subtle but distinct difference occurs. Note the extension of Shuai’s follow-through and height of her dominant right elbow compared to Bartoli. Peng Shuai’s form is closer to that of a conventional forehand which, at the pro level, includes the higher finish of the hitting arm’s elbow. Bartoli is more compact and brings her hitting arm across her front earlier than Shuai.
As both players finish their stroke, you will notice they appear to have their racquets pulling them around to finish as opposed to the player trying to muscle the finish by the body pulling the racquet around. This finish is common among nearly all full strokes in tennis. Players who try to swing the racquet around consciously, tend to muscle the swing. Watch the pros, and you will see a more fluid, almost languid stroke element even within the power structure of most swings.
It is interesting to see this swing pattern among pros in other sports too. Professional golfers look like they swing with far less effort than typical players at the public courses trying to gain extra yardage. This concept becomes readily apparent when you watch a “fast serve” contest. Players can be observed trying to swing with every thing they’ve got, only to wind up with serves that seldom exceed 100 mph. Compare this to professionals when they serve: It is not uncommon to see women serve well into the 120’s and the men into the 130’s and above. Yet, watching the pros, their motions appear effortless in comparison to the recreational or club player trying to hit a big serve.
Finally, notice the back foot, both players stay down and back until well after contact. This too, is an important quality of any forehand stroke. Too often, players will swing allowing their bodies to open up (usually because they try to either hit too hard or because they are not balanced throughout their stroke).
In addition to hitting terrific topspin groundstrokes, Peng Shuai is also a world-class doubles player, able to hit volleys, drop shots, and lobs as well as any other top player.
