This scene seems familiar——
In the previous game, on the first break point of Federer's serve, Gawain hit a diagonal shot from the backhand position to a shallow area when receiving the serve, which instantly pushed Federer to the edge of the cliff. However, in the desperate situation, Federer showed his true colors and turned the tide.
In this game, on the third break point of Gawain's serve, Federer used a backhand flick to return a strong outspin ball that landed in the small triangle of the serving area. His amazing touch and inspiration pushed Gawain to the brink of crisis.
Landing point, similar.
Line, similar.
Situation, similar.
However, the biggest difference is that while Gawain was passive, Federer was active. This was Federer imitating the "SABR" tactic by taking the initiative to step forward and grab the return serve, and then using Federer's unique touch to flick it out.
Strictly speaking, quality is superior.
Moreover, unlike Gawain, Federer should go to the net right after he cuts into the baseline, overturning the balance of the confrontation by using pressure close to the net, and the pressure is pushed to the other side of the court layer by layer.
Crisis, explosion.
Gao Wen had just taken a step forward when he immediately realized Federer's clever use of three-dimensional space. The serve he returned was too light and shallow, and coupled with the unloading force, the rebound height after landing was limited. In simple terms, Gao Wen could not touch the ball at all when standing at the baseline -
He needs to go online.
It was in this brief moment that Gawain realized that the nature of this serve-receive round was different. Gawain's serve was trying to push Federer out of the court, while Federer's serve was trying to drive Gawain to the net.
In tennis matches, generally speaking, they can be divided into two types: active and passive. The same is true for going to the net. Active going to the net is a strategy you make yourself, while passive going to the net is due to the opponent's strategy or the situation. The situations are completely different.
In this round, from the moment he received the serve, Federer had already turned the passive into the active and started to make arrangements. Facing the third break point, he not only did not hold back, but also showed his true qualities as a king, and his tennis wisdom was revealed.
In a flash.
Gao Wen's footsteps had already cut into the baseline and quickly went to the net. He had no choice.
At the same time, Gawain noticed the figure on the other side of the court—
Federer, retreated again.
wonderful.
It's amazing.
Almost everyone thought that Federer would go to the net, after all, that was the next step of "SABR", but Federer did not do so.
Perhaps, this step of retreat may waste the created opportunity; but at the same time, the retreating action may also disrupt Gawain's judgment and interfere with Gawain's shot selection, allowing Federer to continue standing at the baseline and move Gawain to the front of the net and turn him into a target for random hitting.
One step. Two steps. Three steps.
Federer thinks three steps ahead when he takes one step. In the process of receiving the serve alone, he completed three "fake moves" with a hidden needle, forcing Gao Wen's mind to turn once, twice, and again. The surge of information in a short period of time may become a interference with judgment, and he is bound to hesitate when making a move.
So, what about Gawain? The description is long and tedious; the actual competition is just a moment.
Then we can see that Gao Wen's footsteps have been pulled outside the doubles line, and the horizontal axis is basically parallel to the baseline of the serving area. The entire stance is completely thrown out, and it is an inexplicable position, which naturally leaves Gao Wen with little room for hitting options.
straight line.
Gao Wen was not impatient. He was calm and focused enough. He did not choose a two-handed backhand, but a one-handed backhand and side-cut, gently pushing the tennis ball over.
The flight path of the tennis ball is low to the ground, completely bypassing the obstruction of the poles, and passing through the area outside the venue at a low altitude, just like a stealth fighter, silent, invisible, and quietly falling into a blind spot.
——Within the boundary.
Control is perfect.
The wrapping and adjustment of the wrist perfectly matched Federer's surprise return serve. Not only was he not impatient, but he also slowed down the pace and controlled the situation.
Amid the breathless amazement of the entire audience, one could see the tennis ball stuck in a dead corner at the baseline, with almost no parabola, going straight forward, which also meant that there was no room for Federer to swing his racket.
Crisis, sliding towards Federer.
On the other hand, Federer sprinted sideways, running at full speed with long strides, and continuously lowering his center of gravity, trying to match the hitting point.
On the other side, Gao Wen stopped and turned suddenly, also moving sideways, returning to the middle while crossing and changing steps, blocking the line in front of the net.
Two figures stood across the net and passed each other.
Then, Federer started with a forehand, pulled low, twisted the racket with a topspin and pulled, and used the speed of the racket head to push a diagonal line.
In fact, Federer does not have many options for hitting the ball. Diagonal shots are a high-probability event, but while choosing diagonal shots, Federer still has hidden tricks. The impact caused by strong rotation may act as a mine.
Gawain, noticed.
With eyes wide open and full concentration, he noticed the tennis ball that was spinning at high speed towards his right side. This meant that if Gao Wen chose to smash the ball to the right side in front of the net, he had to pay special attention to controlling the angle of the racket face and straightening his forearm and wrist, otherwise the volley might go directly out of bounds.
Swatting a fly is not as easy as it seems.
Everything happened too fast. Federer's layout still left Gawain in a state of shock. It's not that Gawain was really in a panic, but his brain was filled with information, one wave after another, and his hasty handling was inevitably rough and simple.
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Mistakes often happen like this; after all, they are all flesh and blood.
So, instead of taking the risk of using a backslash, Gawain chose a slash.
But Gao Wen knew that this was a trap set by Federer. After hitting the ball, he took a step forward immediately, got closer to the net and controlled the situation.
Keep your eyes on Federer.
Sure enough, Federer was about to return to defend when he suddenly braked and stopped where he was. Without hesitation or pause, he hit the ball back with his forehand and launched a counterattack.
This is probably what it means to have a thorough plan and precise layout.
In an instant, a burst of energy burst out from deep in Gao Wen's dantian. He was calm and steady, reacted promptly, and his body shot out like an arrow, even snatching a small beat.
It was this grab, an action calculated in milliseconds, that created an opportunity for Gao Wen in the confrontation at the net, and the disadvantage of passively going to the net was transformed into an advantage of blocking at the net.
Then--
When the tennis ball came in front of the net, it hit Gao Wen right under his nose.
Backhand with both hands, one block and one spike.
Slash.
block.
Blocked shot.
The sound of ping-pong exploded, creating layers of ripples.
This point marks the end of the matter.
"40:40".
The third break point was gone just like that.
It came quickly and went quickly. Before the O2 Stadium had time to blink, no one knew what had happened, and the point was over.
Wait, wasn’t Federer just in complete control of the situation? But how come…
They looked at each other in astonishment, with only a roar above their eardrums, and adrenaline blooming like fireworks, filling the entire world with splendor and color, and the O2 Arena was filled with a surge.