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Best Hot Shots of 2017: No. 11, Stepanek shines

The old dog had new tricks at the Australian Open.

ByNiko Vercelletto

Published Dec 22, 2017

As the year draws to close, Baseline remembers the shots that showed off players skills, tenacity, and luck all through the season. From backhands to volleys to two-minute rallies, these are the best hot shots of 2017.

See No. 12 here.

11

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In his final-round qualifying match in Melbourne, Radek Stepanek helped himself advance to the main draw by pulling off a perfect tweener against John Patrick-Smith.

After Smith served and volleyed, the 38-year-old Stepanek punished his first volley with a bold move to win the point. This wasn’t your average tweener either, having enough power to almost look like a regular forehand.