How do I direct the ball?
The direction is derived from the angle of the racket face before contact. The pro’s try to strike the ball little later in the strike zone to hit it down the line and a little earlier in the strike zone to hit it or make the ball go crosscourt, but ultimately the direction of the ball is the angle of the racket face at the point of contact. Try to keep the racket face pointed in direction you want it to go.