Chapter 1696 The Heart of the Lion King
“40:40”.
The third match point was saved in such a dramatic way that the commentators in the commentary booth were all at a loss for words, not knowing how to express it accurately. But the only thing that was certain was that commentators from all countries and supporters of all players raised their hands to welcome it.
This exciting semi-final is still going on.
Once again, back to Area 1.
The central stadium returned to calm in a blink of an eye. Although they were excited, thrilled and passionate, they were all looking forward to the exciting game more than themselves.
Everyone, hold your breath.
Area 1.
The first serve went into the net. Obviously, it was a flat shot. Federer tried to speed up, but unfortunately, the power from his bent knees was slightly insufficient.
Second shot. Air combustion.
Close-range backhand serve, that is, middle serve near the inside corner, was standard, but Federer changed his serve strategy again. In this serve game, he once again demonstrated his flexible and varied serve tactics combination, which kept disrupting Gawain's predictions.
Moreover, the squeezing effect is good.
Gao Wen's two-handed backhand was not completely clear, and was somewhat pinned, causing the arc of the return ball to be not suppressed and slightly higher -
Middle road, deep area.
But surprisingly, the depth of the landing point of Gawain's return ball was quite good, so the upward parabola unexpectedly created some impact and squeezing effects. After rebounding from the ground, it rushed towards Federer's cheek, forcing Federer to move away, and his forehand was not fully stretched out.
As a result, Federer also felt a little squeeze in his upper body. After leaning back slightly, he pressed down with his forehand high and returned the ball to the middle.
From middle to middle and then back to middle, the first three shots were always back and forth in the same road in the center of the court. Both players were trying to form suppression through the lines. The landing point, rotation, power, tail power, etc. became invisible confrontations hidden in the shots, and the tension quietly accumulated between the net.
Then--
You can see that Gao Wen adjusted with small steps, stepped forward a little, pressed his upper body forward, did not adjust his steps or the swing space, just stood in his backhand position, and prepared to hit the ball with his two-handed backhand in an ordinary way. From any angle, it was a transition ball.
Both players focused on control, testing and restraining each other. Everyone in the audience, including Federer, the commentators, Sampras and Agassi, thought so, and were anxiously waiting and curious about who would break the balance first.
Swing the racket.
Press forward.
At the moment of the racket, Gao Wen's forearm and wrist swung quickly. This is an advanced hitting action full of skills. Because it is sudden and instantaneous, it is very difficult to control and it depends almost entirely on the feel of the hand. Moreover, any link of power, line and landing point may go wrong.
However, Gawain was very determined.
Suddenly speed up.
Backslash.
Without warning, even during the exploratory exchange, he anxiously broke his balance and threw a two-handed backhand shot down the middle, swinging it along a reverse diagonal line.
Bang! The whole shot was clean, fast and flat, an instant burst of release.
Tennis, on the line! Step.
This is the sound of Federer's footsteps trying to start but failing, and also the sound of the tennis ball hitting the ground and bouncing.
The tennis ball suddenly broke the stalemate balance of the transition ball, completed the breakthrough with the quality of the ball, and found the position of Federer's forehand sideline along the reverse diagonal direction. After landing, it smashed up a piece of lime, and before he could blink, it had hit the baseline backboard hard.
Wow! The whole place roared, deafening.
"Break point!"
No one expected it, absolutely no one expected that Gawain would suddenly launch an attack, so resolute and decisive.
"God, oh dear God, break point!"
From two consecutive match points to the break point, so many things happened in Federer's serve-winning game that it was really overwhelming.
However, that's what happened.
The whole audience was shocked.
Perhaps, Gawain was the only exception. He did not cheer or roar, but only clenched his fists, his determined eyes flashing brightly.
That is high morale and unyielding will.
This is not the first time. From Flushing to Melbourne Park to Roland Garros, Gao Wen has demonstrated his tenacious champion heart more than once.
Even Wimbledon was not his first time. From Istomin to Murray and now Federer, Gawain has shown his enthusiasm and courage to fight to the end time and time again. His lion's heart was beating so vividly and vigorously that he seemed to be able to feel the century-old history of the All England Club surging under his feet, beating and surging along with Gawain's heartbeat.
Fighting spirit is burning.
From the Center Court to Murray Mountain and then to Five Lakes and Four Seas, the shocks created ripples layer by layer; from Five Lakes and Four Seas to Murray Mountain and then to the Center Court, the roars created huge waves layer by layer. The suspense of this semi-final instantly reached a new peak, and overwhelming pressure poured into the court.
Everything rests on the shoulders of these two players.
"40: AD."
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Federer is very calm, very, very calm. From the first round in Halle to today, he has faced difficulties more than once, but he has saved them all.
Confidence accumulates bit by bit. Even top players like Federer have ups and downs and doubts. They also need self-affirmation and self-suggestion. If they face break points again and again and win back again and again, their confidence will reach a whole new level.
This kind of psychological suggestion eventually evolves into a belief, so that one will not panic even if faced with a crisis again.
On the contrary, seeing the break point in his serve-winning game actually calmed Federer down, completely calm. He didn't need to think about match point or victory for the time being, but immersed himself in this point wholeheartedly.
So, with one shot, it came back.
District 2.
First serve, inside corner, sneak attack forehand.
At 124 mph (200 km/h), it's light and sharp, finding the inside corner with impeccable accuracy.
The next second, Federer realized that the opportunity had come.
Although Gao Wen jumped into the air, he barely hit the ball with his forehand at the extreme position and touched the ball very, very reluctantly, pushing the tennis ball back.
But there was no rotation, no power, and no control at all. The return ball flew shakily towards Federer's midpoint and slightly to the backhand position, and the angle and line could not be opened.
It is obvious at first glance that this is Federer's offensive opportunity.
Tap, tap, tap.
Federer moved quickly in small steps and turned sideways directly——
However, it is not a sideways slanting line, but a sideways straight line.
Federer rarely chooses the sideways straight line, because the sideways straight line means that the return ball will almost always be sent to the opponent's forehand, unless he is facing Nadal and the sideways straight line is against Nadal's backhand, otherwise the sideways diagonal line is the regular choice.
Of course, there are exceptions. When playing against top players like Djokovic and Murray, Federer needs to enrich his return lines to avoid being predicted, and then break the balance of confrontation. Occasionally, he will choose to go sideways and in a straight line.
At this moment, Federer chose to go sideways and straight again.
Push off the ground, start, exert force——
Boom! The shells are fired.
(End of this chapter)