While retreating, observing——
However.
This time Gawain did not retreat fast enough because his attention was still on Djokovic's side on the other side of the court, observing his opponent's position. He could not concentrate fully on his movement, so naturally, his steps were not in place and he did not completely free up space for hitting the ball.
But Gawain already had an idea in his mind.
He retreated to half a step behind the baseline, bent over, bent his knees, squatted, and used both hands to block the shot.
Rebound! Gao Wen did not choose to retreat to make room for the ball and try to hit it. Instead, he stood on the baseline and hit the rebound, imitating Djokovic's classic scoop shot. He used the angle formed by his forearm and wrist to complete a physical parabola model. He wrapped his wrist around the tennis ball and gently scooped it up.
High ceiling.
Over the top.
It happened in a flash and in one go.
Obviously, Gao Wen also realized that his confrontation with Djokovic was slightly different from the previous point, so he also changed his response.
He hit a moon ball in the form of a rebound, clearly preparing to challenge Djokovic's most unstable high-pressure ball, which is also his only shortcoming.
--humiliation.
Small ball, humiliation; high ball, humiliation, double humiliation, repeated stabs in the heart.
Openly and directly provoking.
Even the commentators could sense Gao Wen's strategy.
McEnroe couldn't help but sigh, "The smell of gunpowder is coming out."
But this point is not over yet.
Djokovic reacted quickly and stepped forward to the net immediately, ready to smash the ball before the tennis ball reached its highest point.
As soon as he took a big step forward, Djokovic immediately realized how clever and cunning Gawain was.
Obviously, Gawain was also on guard against this shot. The rising arc was extremely steep and had already exceeded the height covered by Djokovic's swing before reaching the net.
Damn it!
He paused, braked, started again, turned around, and ran back.
Djokovic began to retreat without any hesitation, looking up at the parabola of the tennis ball.
At the same time, he could see from the corner of his eye that Gao Wen had already cut to the baseline and quickly reached the net on the other side of the court without hesitation.
One in front and one behind, you chase me.
The entire atmosphere of confrontation was reversed in an instant.
This kind of situation can often be seen in the matches between Djokovic and Federer, but now, Gao Wen's game is also opening up.
Strategically, Gao Wen still lowered himself and put himself in the position of a challenger to attack his opponent, so Gao Wen said it was the same as in the semi-finals last year.
Tactically, Gao Wen has boosted his confidence and is truly standing at the height of the Big Four to engage in head-on collision and competition. His attitude has been completely transformed.
The subtle changes are difficult to summarize in a few words, but they have caused earth-shaking changes in the ever-changing game.
For example, this point.
Djokovic felt a little frustrated, but he didn't have time to pay attention to these distracting thoughts. He was completely focused and his fighting spirit was completely burning.
After all, the game is not over yet and the outcome is still unknown.
Adjust. Run. Move.
Djokovic's footsteps were already near the baseline, but Gawain's high ball still lacked some control, and it was not completely pressed on the baseline, and the rotation was not fully rubbed, which also meant that Djokovic had a chance to force an attack from the baseline.
So, should Djokovic take the risk?
It has been mentioned more than once that Djokovic is not a violent offensive player, and forced attack at the baseline has never been his strong point, so when he handles such returns at the baseline, he often uses a transition shot, or chooses a breakthrough route when facing Federer.
So, what now?
According to his habit since the start of the match today, Djokovic should choose to force the attack. Is he ready to continue this inertia? Turn around, stop, swing clockwise with both hands, and rush forward head-on.
Bang! Slash.
Travel through time.
Just like Gawain prefers the backhand straight line, the backhand diagonal line is the one Djokovic is better at and uses more frequently, and it is very penetrating.
The details highlight the characteristics of Djokovic's backhand diagonal shot. At the moment of swinging the racket, the shoulder uses a forward pushing action to complete the final force.
The tennis ball hit me straight in the diagonal direction.
Fast and heavy, low and flat.
Like a torpedo.
When people talk about breaking the net, the first player that comes to mind is often Nadal, followed by Murray, but in fact Djokovic's basic skills are also very solid. His breakthrough seems simple but is actually powerful and destructive, and can also complete the task.
Opposite the net.
Gao Wen continued to tiptoe, keeping his body light and his center of gravity forward, firmly remembering the tactical key points of getting as close to the net as possible, and his conditioned reflex started.
One tiptoe, one leap——
Lateral step.
He moved his body forward and pounced on the racket, relying on the entire force of the forward pounce to form a frontal collision and withstand the impact of Djokovic's solid hits.
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However, the wrists remain soft.
One rub for everything.
Backspin.
Unload force.
Small ball.
The soft and delicate wrist wrapped around the tennis ball, and controlled it in a flash, showing his wonderful touch.
Swoosh. Swoosh, swoosh.
The tennis ball spun at high speed, flew in a straight line, and landed in Djokovic's forehand serving area, like a butterfly.
However! Djokovic's through-shot was strong and powerful enough that Gao Wen still failed to completely relieve the force. The return line was also slightly longer, and after rebounding from the ground, it flew high up, which still left room for the shot. A figure as fast as lightning could be seen in the sight.
The world's number one is here to stay.
From the net to the baseline and back to the net, in this point, Djokovic showed his unparalleled mobility, sprinting back and forth vertically.
Huff, huff, huff.
The lungs are burning like bellows.
Djokovic's eyes were blazing with fire, he was fully focused, he slid out with one push, and tried to hit a high ball with a forehand flick.
Oops!
Djokovic had just made the shot when he realized that the return ball was out of his control. The forward force was so fierce that it squeezed the space for the forehand swing, and the force of the light lift was so strong that the parabola could not be controlled. The entire flight trajectory obviously deviated from his expectations.
Damn it.
Djokovic held his breath and watched the tennis ball gradually rise. Before it reached the highest point, he saw a tall figure taking a big step to the net, spreading his arms, dunking the ball head-on, and slamming it down hard.
Boom! Landing, exploding——
Score.
Everything happened so fast that before he even had time to blink, Djokovic had just made a shot and the tennis ball was directly dunked back.
It was like a slap in the face.
Pop.
Slap it hard on the face, and then it's over.
"40:30".
This point belongs to Gao Wen.
Anger suddenly rose up, and the string of reason that was stretched to the extreme broke in an instant. Djokovic raised his racket high and threw it heavily to the ground.
Grass!