At Wimbledon, it can lead to a smash (3)
I believe the answer is:
lob
'a smash' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?
I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for lob that I've seen before include "high return" , "Throw a slow, high ball" , "Hit a ball in a high arc" , "Send in a high arc as in tennis or cricket" , "Throw ball in high arc" .)