Chapter 1088: Undergoing the Test
Get Close!
Squeeze the backhand!
Kohlschreiber showed his experience in the set, relying on a steady serve to not only secure the first serve but also create trouble.
Gao Wen accurately predicted the backhand position, but did not expect that the opponent would move close to him and move sideways to the left, which instead compressed his swing space.
Footsteps, emergency brake.
Upper body, tactical backward movement.
With the center of gravity of the entire body completely twisted and lifted into the air, he relied on the swing of his forearms and the feeling of his wrists to forcefully block the shot and push the tennis ball back.
Then——
Step forward.
Gawain didn't hesitate at all. He paused, exerted force with his calves, and pushed hard against the ground. The force of his muscles exploding pushed his body forward.
Sprint!
Go online!
All in one go.
Kohlschreiber was calculating, and Gawain was also calculating. In the game, it all depends on who is ahead and who performs better on the spot.
Throughout the game, Gao Wen actually tried a number of volleyball shots, including serve and volleyball, return and volleyball, and follow-through.
This is also a technique that Sampras has been slowly training and honing since he became the coach. He hopes that this can become Gao Wen's secret weapon.
Of course, for now, Gao Wen's technology still needs more time.
But here’s the point—
No matter how skilled you are, it will be useless if you don't have the courage to put it into actual combat. On the contrary, practicing through competition can improve your proficiency more quickly.
The only thing to consider is when to try it? When trying it, is it a pure adventure or a planned assault? There is a difference.
Just like now.
Gao Wen, come prepared.
The previous shot was very passive because Kohlschreiber's serve still had the upper hand, which also meant that Gawain had no control at all.
You can imagine with your toes that choosing to go online at this time seems very rash, very impulsive, and also... very stupid.
So, is Gawain really like this? From the perspective, Gawain rushed to the net in a straight line, blocking his backhand position, and his footsteps moved lightly and firmly, just like dancing.
Then, move diagonally to the front right.
A feint.
Simply put, Gao Wen pretended that he was preparing to block the backhand position, but in fact, his attention was on the gap in his forehand position.
Everything is planned.
It was precisely because Gao Wen knew that his judgment of the serve was not accurate enough that he was passive in returning the ball. However, if he changed his plan temporarily and reacted slowly for a moment, the situation might be just as bad. At the same time, if he continued to stick to the plan, going to the net would appear rash and impulsive, like a headless fly.
Therefore, you still need to go online to ensure that the entire tactical connection remains smooth; but the details need to be adjusted to create a trap.
The straight-line blocking backhand was a trap, a feint; from a probability and mathematical point of view, the court at Gao Wen's forehand position was completely empty, and with just a little guidance, even just a visual hint, Kohlschreiber would reflexively hit the ball in the direction of the empty space.
After all, Kohlschreiber is a typical blue-collar player and a typical "muscle" player. His calculation and counter-calculation speed is slightly slower and his ability to adapt to changes is slightly weaker.
Tennis, here it comes——
Diagonal, forehand.
Completely in accordance with Gao Wen's idea.
Kohlschreiber was also squeezed. He hit a rebound ball with his forehand at his feet. He caught a glimpse of Gawain blocking his backhand line out of the corner of his eye. In addition, Gawain's entire forehand half of the court was completely clear. At the moment of reflexive hitting, his wrist flicked the racket face and the tennis ball flew out.
Slash!
Just what I wanted.
Gao Wen made adjustments with a series of small steps, without being impatient or anxious. He moved his body forward, kept up with his steps, straightened his forearms, and blocked the shot with his forehand.
Boom! The ball was smashed down the diagonal line in front of the net, clean and neat, a beautiful winning point, saving the set point.
The whole audience was boiling! So bold, so decisive, so stunning!
When it really came to the critical moment, Gawain showed his strength, made seemingly risky tactical choices, and took every step carefully, easily turning the situation around.
Huff! Huff! Gawain gasped for air, his heart beating wildly, almost bursting, but his eyes were shining, and his firm belief burst out with powerful energy.
He likes such moments and enjoys such moments. His high morale is finally fully raised, and he feels completely released, and his body and mind feel relaxed.
Looking at his opponent across the court and the excited audience, Gao Wen clenched his fists tightly, then raised the corners of his mouth slightly and smiled.
Kohlschreiber was a little confused——
Obviously, his serve had created enough advantage, but how could he lose the point in the blink of an eye? The situation was reversed quietly.
Immediately afterwards, Gao Wen scored a forehand straight line winner. Kohlschreiber's backhand was continuously suppressed, resulting in a return ball out of bounds, and Gao Wen broke again.
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From facing the dilemma of inventory to scoring three points in a row to break the serve, the game was like a roller coaster experience, driving the entire stadium into a frenzy.
"5:5".
This also meant that the second set entered a fierce stage, and Gawain's strength and Kohlschreiber's stability continued the stalemate.
After four consecutive games were all broken, both players held serve in the next two games, and the outcome of the second set will be decided by the tie-break.
In fact, ever since Gawain was broken for the first time, he has been adjusting and improving, and has continued to try to target Kohlschreiber's backhand shots.
But when it comes to feel and status, there is no switch that can be turned on or off; nor is it a math problem that can be answered by applying the corresponding formula.
He needs time and he needs to try, and there is also the possibility of failure, so the two sides continued to fight in the following few rounds.
Entering the tiebreak, Gao Wen took the lead.
The quality of forehand and backhand shots improved across the board. The most surprising thing was that Gao Wen did not continuously attack Kohlschreiber's backhand, but tried the "forehand pressure and backhand attack" tactic twice.
That is to continue to break through Kohlschreiber's forehand, create a stalemate or even suppression, and then attack the backhand.
At the same time, Gao Wen did not change tactics suddenly, but implemented the tactics of "pressing the counter and attacking the direct" and interspersed the tactics of "pressing the direct and attacking the counter", emphasizing suddenness.
Kohlschreiber was completely at a disadvantage on the strategic level, and the balanced situation in the previous six games between the two sides was broken.
Caught off guard!
Although he was able to hold on with his forehand, his backhand was completely out of control. Gawain got the upper hand first, not giving Kohlschreiber the chance to attack first. The result was -
Come one and throw one away.
A backhand mistake and he soared into the sky on the monkey board.
“5:1”.
Gao Wen, leading the exchange of venues.
Kohlschreiber only managed to save one serve point by serving, and the stalemate was broken directly.
After the change of venues, it was still Kohlschreiber's serve. He needed to keep the serve to keep the suspense of the tie-break going, otherwise it would be match point.
As a result, Kohlschreiber lost his composure after his forehand went into the net.
“6:1”.
The whole tiebreak went quite fast. Gao Wen had already got five consecutive match points in a blink of an eye, and he successfully converted the first match point with an ace.
"6:1", "7:6 (1)", in straight sets, Gao Wen defeated Kohlschreiber and advanced to the next round with his head held high.
(End of this chapter)