The situation was indeed difficult, but Gao Wen's attention was still on the game. He was even more focused, temporarily putting aside the difficulties of physical fluctuations and entering a state of selflessness.
Federer's serve return was great, but did he get to the net? No.
So, in a flash, Gawain picked up the parabola.
This move was often used in the last game against Djokovic. Although it didn't work for Federer, Gawain was not unfamiliar with it.
The high ball was picked up and flew quickly towards the deep area of the baseline.
Federer immediately realized Gawain's intention, but was half a beat late in preparing to go to the net, and the opportunity had already been missed, so Federer simply stood where he was, without retreating, and took a series of small steps to adjust to his forehand.
From the posture, one can tell that he is preparing to attack with his forehand from the side.
However, Gao Wen was not afraid. He used the flying time of the lob ball to adjust himself, get back into position, and prepare for defense.
Diagonal? Straight? Middle?
At this moment, Gao Wen noticed Federer's hidden hitting gesture -
Small ball.
Gao Wen, start now.
Obviously, Federer also knew Gawain's defensive ability, and forcing a sideways forehand attack might not necessarily open up the situation. Anyway, he had three break points, so he might as well be bolder and just cut and drop the ball.
A chop from top to bottom, downward rotation, unloading force, aiming for a straight line push.
The situation suddenly changed.
Federer made a lot of fake moves. Not only did he turn sideways and pretend to prepare for a forehand attack, but he also looked diagonally, as if he was going to hit the ball in that direction. However, his final shot was neither a drive nor a diagonal shot.
Straight line, small ball.
In a flash, two shots were fired.
However, Gawain was highly focused, and when he noticed Federer's hidden shot, he had already started and cut to the baseline immediately.
He moved his feet diagonally to the left for a moment, then noticed Federer's second feint, turned his feet, and had time to adjust his direction, sprinting again diagonally to the right.
Move at full speed.
Observe as you move.
Then we saw Federer also cut into the baseline and went to the net along the diagonal line, but Federer's steps were not in a hurry, and he was obviously observing Gao Wen.
Although judging from Federer's high-quality small balls, it is highly likely that Gawain will choose the diagonal line, but Federer will not underestimate Gawain's ability, so he remains calm and observes Gawain's position.
Coincidentally, Federer was observing Gawain, and Gawain was also observing Federer.
The difference is that Gawain is passive and has no choice, so he can't stroll around like Federer, and his speed has been increased to the extreme.
and--
It's too late.
Federer's small ball is excellent, the quality is absolutely top-notch, it is completely textbook level:
The force unloading is perfect, the landing point is perfect, and the line is perfect. It falls quickly after landing. It has no height to begin with, and it starts to fall again before it is even parallel to the net, leaving almost no space for hitting the ball.
Federer seized the opportunity of Gawain's high ball and perfectly combined the unloading force and rotation, finally completing a textbook small ball cut and release.
If Gao Wen hadn't moved his body in advance, the ball would have had no chance at all.
But even if Gawain moved ahead, there was still no room for adjustment. He couldn't be distracted and could only catch up as soon as possible and sprint at full speed.
He raised his head slightly, scanned the court, and then made his move, cutting into the narrow gap between the tennis ball and the ground with a light flick.
It all depends on the feel.
So, what about the return line?
Federer noticed that Gawain was looking straight ahead, trying to trick him into blocking the backhand position behind him, but his peripheral vision was actually looking at the forehand space diagonally.
This is indeed the case. Federer's position was originally on the backhand, and he did not cover the forehand position after reaching the net. Now the right half of the court is completely empty.
Federer paused for a moment, waiting for Gawain to make a move, and then swayed to the right. However, he realized just as he started moving—
Got fooled.
Gao Wen's attack was in a straight line.
Relying on the wrapping and control of the wrist, the tennis ball was pushed in a straight line and into the small gap behind Federer.
And, push deeper.
Federer was shocked.
Earlier, he used fake movements and fake looks to deceive Gao Wen.
Now, Gawain uses fake eyes to deceive Federer.
Is this considered... friendly interaction?
Federer stopped and turned suddenly, then started again, somersaulted and rushed backwards, but before he could stretch his body, the tennis ball had already jumped into the gap behind him.
It's too late.
Tennis, break the blockade and embrace freedom.
Federer made a 360-degree turn to control his swaying center of gravity, and finally turned to look across the net. He could see Gawain standing on tiptoe, his whole body tense, and braking urgently, standing in front of the net to control himself and avoid touching the net.
"15:40".
Referee, just announce the score.
The latest novel is published first on Liu9shuba!
Gawain and Federer exchanged glances, and both laughed.
In this point, both players played tricks, set traps, cheated and calculated, but in the end, Gawain outsmarted Federer and gave him a taste of his own medicine.
A smile crept up the corner of his mouth, his eyes brightened, and he nodded slightly.
A knowing smile.
No matter how tense and stalemate it was, the game was still a game. Such rounds and such shots are not something you can see easily. The two players exchanged a tacit smile.
Then, turn around, walk to the baseline, and continue to the next point.
The whole audience was boiling.
Roar, roar, roar.
Oh oh oh.
With a little bit of booing and noise, the whole place was filled with applause and cheers. Jiang Yanqing, Gu Xiao and others in front of the TV looked at the incredible and stunned expressions on the faces on the live broadcast screen and couldn't help but feel envious.
At this moment, only on the scene can you feel the tension, subtle and surging, and immerse yourself wholeheartedly in the world of competitive sports.
One break point, saved, two more.
However, things are not that simple. Just like Federer's previous service game, he saved a break point and awakened his momentum with a stunning forehand winner. The real significance of this point was to interrupt Federer's momentum of winning eight points in a row and bring Gawain back into sight.
Then, changes happened quietly between the two sides.
Step back to area 1.
Push off the ground, throw the ball, swing the racket——
Outside corner.
At a speed of 180 kilometers per hour, it presses down the small triangle of the serving area with strong rotation.
It was obvious at first glance that Gawain was trying to open up the venue completely.
However, Federer started very quickly, and immediately predicted the situation. He took a big step, and with his center of gravity swaying and his footsteps not fully in place, he extended his forehand...
Push flat.
Hit lightly.
straight line.
Unexpected, totally unexpected.
Federer cleverly returned the ball with a push and cut, completely breaking expectations, and his unparalleled form in the last two games continued.
Federer giving up on strong attacks does not mean he won't serve.
A light shot in a straight line found an opening in Gao Wen's completely empty backhand position, and then Gao Wen was mobilized again and again.
In essence, Federer and Gavin were constrained by fluctuations in their physical fitness, which led to a decline in the power of their serves, and their opponents took the initiative in receiving the serve. This was the focus of the two games, and it was still a battle centered around the first three shots.
Gawain, very embarrassed.