Crossword Genius

Deflect wide probing tennis stroke (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

swerve

'deflect' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'wide probing tennis stroke' is the wordplay.
'wide' becomes 'w' (abbreviation e.g. in cricket).
'probing' indicates putting letters inside (probe can mean to make a hole in).
'tennis stroke' becomes 'serve' (serve is a kind of tennis stroke).
'w' placed inside 'serve' is 'SWERVE'.

(Other definitions for swerve that I've seen before include "Sharp turn" , "Suddenly deviate from straight course" , "try to avoid" , "Change direction abruptly" , "Change course violently" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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