This was published 6 years ago
Pavlyuchenkova showcases freakish ability with wild move mid-rally
Tim Elbra
Russian 30th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova showcased a freakish skill during her Australian Open 7-5, 6-3 quarter-final loss.
She is one of the few players on tour that have the ability to hit switch-handed.
At 3-3 in the first set against Garbine Muguruza, the Russian was wrong-footed after the Spaniard hit a backhand in behind her. Without missing a beat, Pavlyuchenkova switched her racquet from her right hand to her left and safely returned a 'forehand'.
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Three shots later, Muguruza sprayed a backhand wide and Pavlyuchenkova had won the point, courtesy of her ambidexterity.
"Yes, your eyes are not deceiving you. She practises this," commentator Sam Smith said on Nine.
"She actually practises this, like [Maria] Sharapova."
