How to handle a short ball which has dropped below the level of the net

If you are late to the ball & it has dropped below the level of the net then drop shot would be a better & safer shot in the circumstance. Also if you could introduce sideways spin with backhand/forehand, then it would be difficult for opponent to reach it. I've seen Anastasia Sevastova do it a regularly.

Playing a top spin forehand or a normal slice bsckhand is risky. If the ball is below the net & your knees & you play top spin forehand, you'll most likely hit the shot in the net. If instead you play a backhand slice, you'll mostly have to upper cut it a bit to gain elevation. And with lack of speed & such high elevation, it will land in opponents half mid-court & easy for him to put it away