Chapter 915 Turning Point of the Game
"Set, high, '7:6', '6:7', '6:3'."
In the third set, the winner was decided.
At the end of the set, Gao Wen delivered a small climax of winning eight points in a row, and saved his serve with a "love-game" to win the set, which was a turning point in the outcome.
Then, the score was increased again, "2:1".
If the first and second sets were stalemate and difficult, with the outcome decided by just one point, both Gawain and Murray had chances, and it all depended on who performed better on the key points.
So, Murray's sudden "disconnection" in the final stage of the third set was puzzling; and don't forget that Murray had the upper hand in the first half, so what was going on?
Physical extreme?
But the problem is that a common feature of the Big Four is that even when they are at the extreme physical limit, the quality of their games can still be maintained.
Looking at women's matches, there are many three-set scores like "0:6", "6:1" and "1:6". One of the main reasons for this is the chain reaction brought about by extreme physical strength, which leads to roller coaster-like scores that are shocking.
Although the scores in men's competitions may not be so exaggerated or so lopsided, it is very common for the quality of the competition to drop drastically when the players are at their most physically exhausted.
However, players who have remained in the top 30 in the world rankings for many years will not do so, as their conditions are often relatively stable; while the fluctuations of the Big Four are more restrained.
So, what happened to Murray? Could it be that after returning from injury, his physical reserve was still affected? Just like in the second half of last year, after running all the way to the finals in London, he faced serious physical problems and finally collapsed.
Perhaps this is the best explanation, but the specific situation can only be known by asking the players, and we have to wait until the post-match press conference.
As for now, hope is not extinguished.
After all, Murray also snatched a set from Gawain. He had done it once, so he could do it again, right? The fourth set was a fresh start.
However--
The mission started off badly.
"0:2".
Murray is in front and Gawain is behind.
In the fourth set, Murray served first, but due to extreme physical difficulty, Murray's first serve could not go in, and he did not have a single first serve in this game; at the same time, his weak second serve encountered Gawain's fierce attack, and faced a severe test.
A return ace, a strong return that caused Murray to hit the ball directly into the air.
Then, Murray made a very untimely double fault, and finally Gao Wen completed the "love-game" break with a forehand winner.
At this point, Gao Wen had won twelve points in a row, continuing his strong performance at the end of the third set, and he was indeed unstoppable.
Rod Laver Arena is a bit dull.
Facing players other than the Big Four, Murray hasn't been so embarrassed for a long, long time, so much so that after he finally won a point in Gawain's serve and broke his opponent's scoring streak, Murray vented his anger.
Roaring and roaring and releasing.
Act like it’s a break point and let out all the emotions.
It was so frustrating and boring. Murray desperately needed such a moment, otherwise he might explode.
However, Gao Wen remained unmoved and successfully held his serve, cashing in on his advantage of breaking first in the fourth set and widening the score.
Immediately afterwards, Gao Wen continued to launch attacks and once again created waves in Murray's serve, getting a break point.
This time, Murray finally gained his footing.
After adjusting in the first and last four games, his physical strength has eased a little; at the same time, on the mental level, Murray also realized the importance of this game.
Being broken in a game?
Then they could catch up at any time, and the score difference was not big. After all, in this set, Murray served first, and it was difficult for Gawain to widen the score.
Broken serve in two games?
In the men's competition, it is very difficult, very, very difficult, basically equivalent to the entire game.
Murray, must hold serve.
Break point, draw.
Game point, draw.
Break point, draw.
The atmosphere became tense again. This round was almost a match point. Both Gawain and Murray realized the importance of this round.
In fact, for Gao Wen, this game could have been broken or not, as he already had the advantage; but after he failed to break the serve and unexpectedly ended up in a tug-of-war, the strategic significance of this game immediately became different.
Murray is now at a disadvantage, his momentum is low and he is on the verge of collapse. If he saves multiple break points and successfully holds his serve, things will be different.
The momentum will be rekindled, and maybe even more energy will burst out, with both the mental and physical levels completely renewed. Then, it will be hard to say how they will perform in subsequent competitions.
Because Gawain broke too early, at the beginning of the fourth set, this also means that there is still room for the game and Murray has plenty of opportunities to catch up and overtake. On the contrary, he might "run out of opportunities again and again". Once the fourth set is lost and the game enters the deciding set, it will be a different story.
Therefore, this game must be won.
This is how the game is, it changes rapidly, the whole situation is changing all the time, perhaps the real turning point of victory or defeat has appeared quietly.
Back and forth, the stalemate continued.
Gao Wen missed two break points.
Murray missed four game points.
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Then, the two players were tied for the seventh time and still could not break the deadlock. In a daze, they returned to the situation of the first two sets.
Stalemate, suffocation.
At the critical moment, Murray's second serve was caught by Gawain again.
Zone 1.
Second serve, inside corner.
Murray tried to use the inside corner to limit Gawain's backhand, but he failed to control the landing point, and his speed and power were seriously insufficient, exposing the opportunity.
Gao Wen's steps were very determined. He took a big step forward, and with both hands, he swung the racket backhand following the inertia of his body, and hit a backslash.
Quick! Resolute! Brave! The whole move was smooth and seamless, and it was both elegant and graceful, like a ballet dancer dancing gracefully, with smooth lines that were beyond description.
The return ball hit the right sideline of Murray and flew out directly. Murray staggered out but failed to touch the tennis ball.
Return serve ACE!
Winning point, plus one more! "Oh!"
Not cheering, not applause.
The entire Rod Laver Arena let out sighs of regret, wailing and screaming of loss intertwined together, even more lethal and destructive than boos -
There is no need for verbal explanation to clearly feel which player the fans are standing behind.
In the sight, one can see people covering their faces, looking up, standing like ostriches, covering their chests, drooping shoulders, etc. A deep sense of disappointment permeated the whole place.
Obviously, they were not prepared to celebrate this brilliant winning point.
"ah!"
Gawain, roared out.
“Ahhhh!”
This time, Gawain was finally released.
It was not because he was unable to break the serve, but because he was facing the overwhelming pressure from the whole world alone; or because the situation in this game became sticky and entangled again, without the crisp and straightforwardness from the end of the third set to the beginning of the fourth set. This also meant that Murray finally slowed down the pace of the game and entered the mode he liked.
This is a challenge to Gawain's willpower.
The model that he had built with great effort was shattered after just four games.
The Big Four are worthy of being the Big Four.
Gao Wen needs this kind of scoring and this kind of release.
(End of this chapter)