What directs the ball?
It’s the angle of the racket face that directs the ball. whatever bevel or tilt the racket face is, that is where the ball will then go. The problem is that we think that its possible to change the flight or direction after the strike. That is why you see people twist, turn, roll the wrist after the ball is long gone. The racket-face is your ultimate guide. Try not to get tennis elbow by rolling your arm.