Starting to really appreciate the open stance 2hbh

[Govnor]

I never really toyed around with the open stance 2hbh until relatively recently. It has grown on me a lot. I don't know if it's an individual feel/movement preference from one player to another, but it's shocking how easy it is to hit (for example) a DTL BH when using the open stance. To me, it feels even more natural to go DTL vs cross court. I feel like I'm a back board. almost. The actual ideal shot is someone hitting a hard inside out forehand to me, I've found it's so simple just to redirect this DTL.

Anyone have similar experience with this? Any other things you've noticed/use?

[sureshs]

Serena used it all week in Madrid. Clear advantage over the 1 hander.

[Govnor]

Originally Posted by sureshs

Serena used it all week in Madrid. Clear advantage over the 1 hander.

Was she playing Henin?

[sureshs]

Originally Posted by Govnor

Was she playing Henin?

Clear advantage over, say, Carla Navarro?

[rkelley]

I believe that John Yandell had some data about a correlation between the arm structure that many women tend to use on the 2hbh (double bend, lots of bend in both arrms) and open stance. I don't see many guys setting up open unless their forced to by a wide ball.

Personally I only go open when I'm forced to due to wide shot or occasionally when I have no time (serve returns for instance). I generally don't like it though because the already short contact zone for the 2hbh gets even shorter.

[LeeD]

Does the short contact point really hold water here? 2hbh gives you instant swing, from any position, so a minute contact point is just fine, since the swing is much quicker than 1hbh, except for slices.
Modern forehands are often hit with wide open stances, and the forehand swing is long and loopy. A short, direct swing of 2hbh should work just fine with open stances. And if we say a modern 2hbh is more lefty short punch forehand, then the better for open stance 2hbh's.
Yes, traditionally, almost every male pro lines up his stance closed or neutral, but it's not a rule, rather a choice.
Why hit mostly open stanced forehands, then fully close on every 2hbh to hit the ball? If it works (open stanced) one side, why not the other?