Backhand Battle: Wawrinka, Monfils Display Sublime Hot Shot Touch

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Backhand Battle: Wawrinka, Monfils Display Sublime Hot Shot Touch

We hear so much touch about the glorious backhand of Stan Wawrinka, and most of that talk centers around its otherworldly power. True, Stan can pummel the one-hander like no other player on tour right now and just watching him connect on the shot can send shivers down one’s spine. But what about the feel of Wawrinka? He’s got that in bundles, too, and he proved as much on Tuesday (see video above) when he wired this one-hander against Nick Kyrgios, sending it on a lob-like arc to the most unthinkable spot on the court, which happened to be the only place that Kyrgios couldn’t get his racquet to.

More: Federer's Behind-the-Back Winner Wows in Halle

But Wawrinka wasn’t the only player dazzling tennis fans with one hand on Tuesday in Europe. Check out this impromptu stab from Gael Monfils (below) against Lukas Rosol in Halle. The Frenchman was completely out of place, and Rosol walloped the forehand with wicked side-and top-spin. But somehow, magically, Monfils got the stick to the spot and deflected the ball into the far court for a line-kissing winner. No ‘tweener necessary, just a pair of very fast hands.