Djokovic knows Kovan, and Kovan knows Djokovic, too.
To be precise, among the Big Four, Gao Wen is most familiar with Djokovic. After all, this is the seventh time they have met in their careers.
In the sixth game just now, there was a small controversy and a small accident. Although the final penalty was in favor of Gao Wen, Gao Wen successfully broke the serve and tied the score; but Gao Wen knew Djokovic, and such situations could often inspire his high morale, just like the home and away game difference at the beginning.
For Djokovic, that spirit of not admitting defeat and that eagerness to prove himself can always be transformed into motivation and burst out with amazing energy.
It is precisely because of this that since the last game "15:40", Gao Wen's batting line combination has been obviously more patient and more steady, but it has dragged the game -
Of course, Gao Wen can compete head-on with Djokovic. He has the ability to do so and he is definitely not afraid of Djokovic.
But is it really necessary? Unlike the match against Federer, Gawain knew how difficult Djokovic was. Even if he was trailing 0:2, he could still drag the match all the way to the final set and finally find a way to overturn the suspense of the outcome. He had to be prepared for a protracted battle and consider the overall situation.
Point by point, Gao Wen showed enough patience, showing his edge at the right time, and his ability to control and grasp the game became more mature.
Just like now.
In his own serving game, Gao Wen was behind at 15:30, but he remained neither anxious nor aggressive, and executed his established tactics completely.
Zone 2, first drive, outside corner, slow down and reduce force.
Across the net——
Djokovic's start was very sensitive and aggressive. He pushed off the ground, leaned forward, and threw his entire center of gravity out, grabbing the rising point.
With both hands, the ball is hit exceptionally solidly, and the diagonal impact of the backhand not only leverages the force, but also exerts strong force, causing the tennis ball to return along its original route.
154 kilometers per hour.
He returned the ball with a speed comparable to that of a second serve, hitting it straight back head-on. Before Gao Wen could restore his serve, the tennis ball was already in front of him.
Push! Rush! Bump! Like a wall.
The ball came towards him with great force, and Gao Wen immediately realized that he did not have enough space to swing the racket and his steps were not fully in place.
In a flash, Gao Wen gave up swinging the racket for a two-handed backhand, and instead held his body still, using a turning motion to complete the push within a small range.
One push and one block.
It's purely about using the opponent's force to counter the opponent.
With his forearm straight and his wrist strong, he hit the tennis ball directly back like a home run in baseball.
Slash, and another slash.
Judging from the lines alone, there is nothing fancy. Both players did not create different impacts in the diagonal area by changing the landing points. It was just a simple diagonal, point-to-point backhand shot exercise, straight and unobstructed.
The key is to seize the rhythm.
Djokovic is competing, and so is Gawain.
Then, Djokovic fell into a passive position——
It’s not because of the disadvantage in backhand head-on confrontation, but because of the rhythm and positioning.
In the previous shot, Djokovic's center of gravity was completely thrown out. After the impact, he took a big step forward after the ball and barely controlled his body. He stopped and turned suddenly, started again to pull his center of gravity back, and was about to return to his position, but the tennis ball had already returned before his feet could move.
In a hurry, the space between Djokovic and the tennis ball, the direction of his feet and the action of his swing were all slightly misaligned with each other.
Awkward. Crowded. Stiff.
This is Djokovic's dilemma.
In a hurry, Djokovic had no time to adjust, and he used his forehand to hit the ball. He was clearly leaning sideways, but he was not exerting force, but just hitting the ball.
Djokovic habitually picked up the tennis ball, and then continued to move sideways to the right to defend, his eyes fixed on the flight trajectory of the tennis ball.
It rises, rotates, and the parabola is not high. Djokovic's wrapping ensures that the tennis ball can return to the opposite court, but the landing point and line are average.
It is located in the middle of the road, slightly towards the backhand position, and is neither deep nor shallow, neither up nor down. It is a completely awkward position in the midfield, equivalent to a transition ball.
Of course, Gawain had not anticipated such a return, and his footsteps did not have time to enter the baseline to hit the ball in the middle. Compared with Federer, his awareness of moving forward and pressing forward was still insufficient, so Gawain was also embarrassed to handle it now.
The space for a forced attack is relatively limited, and it is not easy to open up an angle. Moreover, Djokovic's defense has successfully regained its rhythm.
This is Djokovic's ability. As long as he wants, he can continue to output such returns, over and over again, until the end of time.
but!
Gao Wen was also ready. After returning the ball in the previous shot, he was already looking for the hitting position by taking small steps. He caught Djokovic's return line and completed the step adjustment in one breath.
This time, there was no stepping forward, no grabbing the point, but he raised his hands for a backhand like a cannon and waited in place.
Moreover, he did not shoot the ball in advance, but was very patient and calm, waiting quietly for the tennis ball to arrive.
Take your time.
Such calmness and composure put Djokovic's defense in a difficult position, because Gawain was fully prepared and could hit all lines on the court, and Djokovic had no way to judge.
Even though the tennis ball is still flying in the air, the two players' calculations and games are ongoing. It is not just about hitting the ball and confronting each other, but the entire collision of consciousness and the contest of spirits are continuing to heat up, with smoke and sparks everywhere.
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Then.
Wait, and wait again.
For milliseconds, both players remained tense and neither of them made a shot easily, just like before a Western Conference duel, waiting for the moment to draw their guns.
Until——
Djokovic took the lead again. Whoever defends will be passive. It's that simple.
Djokovic moved his body and pretended to move towards his forehand, but it was a fake move, and then he moved towards his backhand.
Immediately afterwards, Gao Wen also made a move, with a two-handed backhand shot, diagonally, solidly, steadily, and with an instant burst of power.
Djokovic, accurate prediction.
It can be seen at this point that the more times the two players play against each other, the higher the accuracy of their predictions, and Djokovic's defense becomes more and more adept.
Industry professionals all know that Djokovic is a typical "old-fashioned" player.
When facing new opponents, he is prone to some deviations, but as the number of encounters increases, his control over the game will also increase. This is reflected in the encounters between the Big Four and in the confrontations between him and other young players of the new generation.
One pedal, emergency brake.
One step to support the body.
Djokovic's two-handed backhand also showed an absolutely steady and solid ability, with no fear at all and a head-on collision.
"Power vs. Power".
Although Gawain's shots were very solid, with excellent power, speed and line, Djokovic was not at all inferior.
So, what about the lines?
"Diagonal vs. diagonal", "Backhand vs. backhand".
Djokovic retaliated by hitting the tennis ball back hard and then pushing it back again.
but!
Djokovic had just finished hitting the ball when he noticed Gawain's movement.
Oops!