Federer, very focused—
An accurately predicted forehand volley could have ended the point, but the ball hit the net too hard, changing its trajectory.
Of course, no one wants to see a net wipe.
However, Federer was not upset nor distracted. He immediately moved sideways at a dazzling speed, passing through like a clone or afterimage.
He moved from the forehand position to the backhand position smoothly in a flash. The prediction and control at the critical moment once again demonstrated the Swiss king's keen sense of touch in front of the net. As soon as he approached, he could see Gao Wen's straight push appear in front of him, and the racket was extended.
The steps were a little unsteady, and there was still some shakiness in the sudden stops and turns.
But now there was no time to adjust. He hurriedly reached out to block the backhand with one hand, and immediately felt the solid force of Gao Wen's push, so that he jumped two steps on one leg, and his center of gravity swayed further. He could not feel the support of gravity at all, and the racket swayed with it.
At this time, Federer once again demonstrated his excellent talent for top-level touch.
A flick of the wrist.
The shot is complete.
In the midst of hasty defense, awkward resistance, and on-the-spot response, Federer hit an unconventional return with a one-handed backhand, gently picked up the tennis ball, and successfully wrapped the tennis ball with a short touch, drawing a full parabola across the court.
lob.
Over the top.
Deep area.
The situation has been reversed.
Amid the stunned exclamations and astonishment of the entire audience, the black figure on the other side of the net remained absolutely focused.
Retreat and observe.
I originally tried to intercept the ball halfway and complete the overhead high pressure, but I found that the parabola was out of control. Without any lingering feelings or regrets, I turned around decisively.
Observe and run at the same time.
He did not rush his steps, but adjusted his rhythm following the flight trajectory of the tennis ball, moving methodically to the baseline, and then overtaking with one stride.
Push off the ground.
Turn around.
A 180-degree rotation, like a waltz.
With smooth footsteps and control, he accurately found the falling curve of the tennis ball one meter behind the baseline.
Federer's lob had perfect parabolic control, but the tail power was insufficient. The contact time between the racket and the tennis ball was too short, so the room for control was really limited. After landing, it went straight up and down with almost no rotation. Despite this, it was a blessing to be able to land on the baseline.
Huh! When the linesman put his hands together to indicate inbounds, confirming that Federer's return hit the line accurately, an exclamation surged in the air of Arthur Ashe Stadium.
However.
Gao Wen was totally unmoved. He turned counterclockwise and swung his racket forehand to face the opponent head on.
In this brief moment.
During the rapid rotation, Federer's figure can be caught in the peripheral vision. The three-dimensional space of the entire court is quickly laid out in the brain like a blueprint. However, there is no time to hesitate. He just sticks to his own tactics, but the wrist control in execution requires detailed adjustments.
One push.
A flick.
At the moment of touching the ball, the wrist speeds up, the racket head speed is fully increased, and all the energy is released along the centrifugal force of the body's rotation.
The whole world is spinning, and Gawain must find his center of gravity in a blur of light. His will and faith are instantly gathered.
whoosh.
Chip shot.
Topspin.
Super Spin.
The tennis ball drew a perfect arc along a straight line, and after Federer, it hit the moon ball for the second consecutive time. However, this time the control of the moon ball was obviously more rotational and faster. It crossed the net, crossed the serving area, and entered Federer's backcourt, accelerating like a falling meteor.
Falling.
Landing.
Explosion.
Federer was caught off guard, his feet completely nailed in front of the net, and he watched in amazement as the tennis ball went deep into the baseline.
He did not expect it to be a lob, nor did he expect it to be a straight shot. His body center of gravity moved towards the diagonal interception position, but his plan was completely disrupted. The second start after the sudden stop and turn could not keep up after the continuous bumps and maneuvers, and his steps froze.
Not moving.
The entire stadium! The entire world! All eyes were focused on the tennis ball, watching the light and shadow fall into the court, drawing a perfect end.
Impeccable.
"40:AD".
The fourth match point appeared again.
Buzz.
There was a roar above the eardrums.
Plan clenched his fists and raised his hands high, but he couldn't make any sound.
Celebrating silently, yet passionately.
Arthur Ashe Stadium fell into silence for a short moment. No one cheered or exclaimed. Everyone just stared at the stadium quietly, their minds filled with roaring voices.
“Incredible!”
McEnroe paused.
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“Incredible!”
All the grandeur and splendor of words have lost their power at this moment. There is only amazement, shock and madness, and my scalp can't help but feel numb.
Thousands of eyes were focused on Gawain.
Huff, huff, huff, huff.
Gawain was panting and sweating profusely, but his eyes were so clear and bright. He just clenched his right fist tightly, staring at Federer firmly and determinedly.
The belief in victory is still burning.
——The match point came to Gawain again, a match point he fought for with his unyielding will and resolute courage.
Federer, once again, stood on the edge of a cliff, shaky and in danger.
Then.
Arthur Ashe Stadium finally came to its senses, first cheering and shouting, then going crazy, and then cheering and supporting, and a raging storm swept through the entire stadium.
"Pah! Roger!"
"Pah! Roger!"
The three most difficult and dangerous consecutive match points have been successfully saved. They have no reason to doubt Federer, and their cheering and support at the top of their lungs have become Federer's strongest and most steadfast backing.
The home team’s momentum once again showed its strength.
Maybe, there was a very, very small number of people who thought that Gawain could beat Federer, but even this small number of people did not expect this situation.
In the fourth set, Gao Wen got the fourth match point.
The atmosphere of enthusiasm and tension was spreading, and Arthur Ashe Stadium at one o'clock in the morning was like a carnival, and this moment was the real climax.
Federer, serve.
One shot——
"Out!"
The linesman's decision was firm.
Federer tried to hit a first serve to the outside corner at a speed of 210 kilometers per hour, but his physical strength was not enough at the end of the fourth set, so his control was naturally loose, and the ball went out of bounds.
oh.
There was a cry of surprise at the scene. At such a critical moment, Federer didn't have a single serve.
But it can also be seen from the side that the confrontation is becoming more and more fierce and tense, and even the battle-hardened Federer can hardly avoid it.
The entire venue was in complete silence, without a single sound. The players even held their breath, fearing that any slight movement might disturb Federer's concentration.
Second serve.
Close.
Federer changed his serve, but this time, the audience exclaimed again.
Huh! Because Federer fought for a second serve, risking a double fault, and served a second serve at a speed of 180 kilometers per hour; and the speed is not the key, but the placement is.
The second serve landed deep in the service area, pressing against the outer edge of the boundary line, and it looked like it was going to go out of bounds, but the linesman put his hands together to indicate that it was in bounds.
Thrilling, exciting, crazy.