"0:30".
The opportunity has come.
Although this was not Gawain's plan, an opportunity is an opportunity.
With one turn, Gawain had made a decision. His entire brain became completely clear, and he entered the killer mode with his attention highly focused.
On the other side, Tsonga...it was still Tsonga, and he showed no signs of nervousness at the critical moment.
Yes, this "Tennis Ali" has faced and defeated the Big Four more than once, and he has fought for victory in the crucial rounds of important tournaments.
This time is naturally no exception.
Gao Wen was a little unsure about Tsonga's serving strategy. After all, this was the first time the two met. The "critical moments" in the first four sets were different from the "critical moments" in the final set. In this situation, how would Tsonga choose his tactics? For Gao Wen, everything was new.
As for the game videos analyzed before the game, they can only be used as a reference.
Then, Gawain still needs to focus on himself.
Adjust in small steps.
Gao Wen took a small step forward, not only did he not retreat conservatively, but he also showed his strong attitude in receiving and fighting for the serve.
It is a kind of oppression and also a kind of game.
Tsonga, serve.
Area 1, inner corner.
At the critical moment, Tsonga was not disturbed by Gao Wen at all. His serving tactics were very resolute. He aimed at the T point and exerted full strength, and his serve speed reached 200 kilometers per hour.
Boom! Across the net, Gao Wen's footsteps were obviously a little slower, because the space compressed by his stepping forward did not give him enough time to swing his racket.
In the end, he just barely touched the tennis ball but failed to complete an effective swing. The tennis ball hit the racket frame and flew directly into the audience stands.
… “Out of bounds!”
Everyone in the stadium could see that Gao Wen's return ball went out of bounds, but the linesman still completed the call very professionally -
Serve straight.
Tsonga responded in this way, not only tough but also efficient, with a face without any expression, which reminded people of NBA's "Stone Buddha" Duncan.
"15:30".
Tsonga controlled the game in Tsonga's way, stood firm on the edge of the cliff, and made up for the disadvantage slightly with a beautiful straight punch.
This is a kind of ability.
The whole audience was boiling.
Gao Wen, however, did not feel discouraged at all, and his willpower never wavered.
Serving is the ultimate weapon that tennis players possess. Any time an opponent can solve a dilemma through serving, it is worthy of admiration.
So, there is no need to care.
Now, the score changed slightly and the whole atmosphere changed with it, but Gao Wen was not prepared to change his plan again because this round was still his chance.
From Area 1 to Area 2, Gawain remained focused, his brain was always working -
Area 1 inner corner, area 2 outer corner.
In two consecutive serves, Tsonga chose to suppress Gawain's backhand, so what about the third time?
Moreover, we need to distinguish whether this is Tsonga's game routine, which he does every time at a critical moment; or is it a tactic designed against Gawain?
As the serving player, Tsonga still holds the initiative, and Gao Wen needs to stay focused.
Then--
Gao Wen still moved forward a little when receiving the serve. He did not adjust because of Tsonga's excellent serve and insisted on his pressure tactics.
On the other side, Tsonga's expression showed no fluctuation, and he continued to prepare for the game at his own pace.
District 2.
Inner angle.
The serving tactics changed, and it returned to Gao Wen’s forehand again, but unfortunately this time—
"Out of bounds!"
The linesman's out-of-bounds gesture was very firm, indicating that Tsonga's serve was in the wrong zone. The serve, which should have been in the second zone, did not find the T point and entered the first zone.
It can be seen from the extreme landing point that the serve at a speed of 198 kilometers per hour is aimed at ACE or a direct serve, and Tsonga still did not show any mercy.
But for Gao Wen, the message is more than that. Confidence is confidence, toughness is toughness, but there is more information hidden behind it:
First, Tsonga also wanted to end the game quickly, so his entire serving tactics were different from the second half of the fourth set and the first half of the fifth set. His physical strength must have run out.
Second, in the previous hour or so, Tsonga's serve landing points were relatively scattered, but the proportion of serves that were chasing and close-range squeeze accounted for the majority, that is to say, Tsonga was willing to be patient and deal with Gawain, creating squeeze through serves, and then fighting back and forth at the baseline; but in the past three points, Tsonga was still looking for the corners of the serving area. In addition to physical problems, changes in tactical strategies can also be seen.
This information is very important.
Especially there is an opportunity for a second shot next.
Zone 2, second round.
Tsonga's second serve is still mainly flat, and he rarely chooses rotation to increase insurance. Naturally, he dare not pursue the ultimate landing point of the second serve -
In other words, the second serve often does not tear the angle apart, but is more concentrated in the middle area, that is... close to the target.
The latest novel is published first on Liu9shuba!
really!
Close range pressure backhand.
The speed is 163 kilometers per hour, which is slower than the average speed of the second serve.
Chance!
Gao Wen moved half a step to the right, and did not lead the racket in a big way when he used his two-handed backhand. Instead, he held his body still and completed the lead by shifting within a small range.
Arm, push.
Wrist, flick it quickly.
Although his feet and body were slightly squeezed, Gawain was fully prepared and was not surprised by Tsonga's serve and reacted promptly.
Swing the racket, turn the body, and exert force, all in one go.
The explosion was released in a small area, and the tennis ball was hit back fiercely.
straight line.
Fight.
Facing the second serve, Gao Wen attacked decisively, using his best and most powerful weapon to whip out a straight line in a small area, across the entire court.
Everything happened in a flash, so fast that before he could even blink, the tennis ball had returned to Tsonga's side.
Straight line, deep area, Gao Wen did not pursue the ultimate landing point, gave up aiming at the dead corner of the baseline, but chose the deep area closer to the central area.
But, fast enough, deep enough, heavy enough—
Tsonga, very, very embarrassed.
After serving, Tsonga followed his serving action and pressed forward. Instead of going to the net, he came to the baseline, ready to connect with the next shot to attack. This is also his usual routine, establishing an advantage through serving, and then expanding the advantage within the first three shots, or even ending the battle directly.
Unfortunately, he was caught by Gawain this time.
The return ball came back to Tsonga's feet. His steps near the baseline were suppressed and the tennis ball almost hit the instep of his feet.
Tsonga was so heavy that he had no way to retreat or squat. As a result, without bending his knees, he relied entirely on the strength of his arms and upper limbs to reach down and reflexively intercepted the ball deep at the baseline. However, there was no control or friction at all, and then the tennis ball flew out.
Anti-aircraft gun.
High and far away, past Tsonga's stadium and Gawain's stadium, and finally disappeared in the shadow of the audience stands behind Gawain.
"ah!"
Gao Wen clenched his fists and roared. From the second half of the fourth set until now, he had been suppressing his emotions again and again, and finally he let out his anger.
Those eyes were filled with murderous intent——
"15:40".
No one expected that the tense and suffocating game would suddenly change without warning, and then all the pressure was on Tsonga's side.
Break points, two in a row!