Crossword Genius

Often a smashing shot (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

forehand

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'shot' is the definition.
(I know that forehand is a type of return)

'often a smashing' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'a' could be 'an' and 'an' is present in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for forehand that I've seen before include "shot" , "Court action" , "Style of tennis stroke" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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