Attack with one shot.
Two-shot attack.
Three-shot attack -
Although this was unusual, Djokovic did not back down or show mercy, and displayed his toughness in a rare display, starting with a strong return of serve, and attacking wave after wave, continuously. Even though his attack was exhausted on the third shot, Djokovic still did not choose to dunk the ball.
This is not like Djokovic.
But professionals can see that Djokovic is taking risks and continuing the state of the last three games of the second set to actively open up the situation.
With this shot, Gawain's super topspin lob was clearly restricted, making it difficult for Djokovic to exert force. But precisely because of this awareness of the crisis and impact, Djokovic became more determined to force an attack. It was his pride, fighting spirit and tenacity that made him attack with a strong force.
Among Djokovic's many hitting techniques, there is one that is very special. He uses the forehand position, with the racket away from the body, at a very high or low point, that is, an unconventional hitting position, and relies on the wrist to hit the ball from top to bottom or from bottom to top.
Half pocket, half sweep, half left and half roll.
Although it is difficult to exert force, the line and landing point control can still be maintained at a high level, and it is often used as a transition ball or a shot to turn defense into offense.
That's what Djokovic is doing at this moment.
Gao Wen's super topspin still squeezed him, but he was still prepared to continue attacking, so he used this hitting technique to control the landing point with a shot.
Slash
Goal, shallow sideline, trying to create an angle.
Even without strength, he was able to restrain Gao Wen by relying on rotation and landing points.
But is this enough for Gawain? The answer is... no.
Gao Wen and Djokovic have met too many times, and Gao Wen is very familiar with Djokovic's shot, from his shot habits to the texture of the shot.
If Djokovic had avoided the ball as much as possible and increased flat shots, the suppression of rhythm and speed might have brought more impact, but with this shot, he returned to his comfort zone and returned to his best hitting method in order to continue the attack and exert pressure.
This is the opportunity.
It was this gap that Gawain was waiting for.
He stopped and turned his feet suddenly, and completed the adjustment calmly, pulling his body back to the forehand again; and, instead of continuing to move parallel to the horizontal axis, he moved forward while grabbing a step and a half of space, and after the tennis ball landed, he aimed at the rising point and swept out.
Forehand, sweeping shot.
It was like a slap in the face.
Not only is it clean and quick, but it is also powerful. The moment he switches from defense to offense, his strength and momentum burst out instantly, and the solid quality of his forehand shot is elevated to a whole new level.
Bang! Impact, explosion.
Rhythm, improvement.
The tennis ball was swept back in such a mighty manner——
Slash!
Gao Wen still implemented the core tactics of the entire game, aiming at Djokovic's forehand from the forehand position and attacking with his forehand for the second consecutive shot.
The previous shot was a topspin.
This shot is a flat strike.
With changes in rhythm, strength and method, the firepower of the offense will be revealed.
In addition, there is the landing point.
Bold, tricky and powerful enough, Gao Wen aimed at the blind corner of the forehand baseline and swept the ball across. After landing, the rebound parabola of the tennis ball continued to turn outward.
Deep and biased.
Then, you can see Djokovic go into defense, taking two steps back at a 45-degree angle behind his body to avoid the first wave of impact from the ball, and then quickly curling his forehand around the tennis ball to make a diagonal shot, wrapping up all the power, all the rotation, and all the impact.
One bag, one roll.
The mighty power and overwhelming momentum disappeared like a drop in the ocean, and instead became the basis for Djokovic's defensive counterattack.
With his unparalleled ability to scoop the ball, Djokovic drew his sword and did not lose his position even when he was in a passive position. He scooped the tennis ball and rushed back to the other side of the court.
It was still a diagonal line, but this time it was slightly different. Djokovic did not continue to open up the angle, but pushed deeper and aimed at the baseline.
From the impact of the horizontal axis to the pressure of the vertical axis, Djokovic's return also switched the rhythm between passive and active, disrupting Gao Wen's pace.
Djokovic did not miss the details. Gawain had just cut to the baseline to grab the ascending point, and now his return forced Gawain to retreat.
The tug of war between active and passive, the stalemate between strength and disadvantage, are becoming increasingly tense and intense. Every shot of the ball swings on the steel rope. The balance may be broken if either side exerts a little force, but the pushing and blocking back and forth is as tenacious as Tai Chi.
Uh ah.
Djokovic roared again, not only because of the force of hitting the ball, but also because of braking to control the center of gravity. His body had been pushed outside the singles line, but he had to prepare for the next shot, stop and turn suddenly, straighten his knees, and release all the force of pushing off the ground, pushing his body to sprint towards the backhand position.
Step, step, step...
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Djokovic was moving, staring at Gawain intently, watching Gawain retreat continuously and lose his position, watching Gawain continue to retreat and prepare for a forehand shot, watching Gawain's center of gravity retreat and unable to complete the forward push, everything was unfolding according to Djokovic's plan.
But at this moment——
The world is turned upside down.
Gao Wen changed the way he held the racket, gave up preparing to drive the ball with force, and instead switched to cutting.
Hit the ball while backing away.
Using his wrist to softly wrap the tennis ball and his forearm to lightly push it forward, Djokovic's lob had no power to begin with, and now it was perfectly unloaded by Gawain. The power and rotation disappeared into thin air, and the tennis ball seemed to be wrapped and lifted by a cloud, flying silently at a low altitude.
Along a straight line, over the net, falling vertically.
Small ball.
On the break point in the ninth game, Gao Wen was ready to try such a tactical routine, but Djokovic's step forward was very agile and he had completed the net coverage before Gao Wen made a shot, forcing Gao Wen to change his tactics; and now, Gao Wen has waited for a more suitable opportunity to make a shot.
Without hesitation, Gao Wen retreated, unloaded the force, wrapped the ball, and pushed the tennis ball over the net by cutting.
Uh ah.
The voice comes from Djokovic.
As his feet were moving sideways, he found that he had made a wrong judgment. In terms of tactical choice and timing, he was tricked by Gawain again.
However, just after starting, one step, two steps... Djokovic already realized the ending.
Can't catch up.
Djokovic's lob gave Gawain a perfect opportunity. Gawain unloaded all his strength and controlled the ball more accurately and delicately while retreating. The tennis ball fell quickly after passing the net with almost no bounce height. Then Djokovic watched the tennis ball bounce twice.
Strolling in the garden, picking up things at will——
The confrontation ended before it even had time to fully escalate, with bayonets clashing and sparks flying, and the second count disappeared.
With a "puff", everything turned to ashes.
"6:5".
So, Gao Wen once again put the pressure on Djokovic. If he wanted to win the second set, Djokovic had to fight for it himself.
It's just that simple.