Match point

Layout and game, suppression and counterattack——

Even on the seemingly simplest shot, the collision between Gauvin and Djokovic was completely tight.

Although Djokovic did not choose to serve and hit the net this time, he did not expect Gao Wen to break the balance with an "unnecessary" forehand high ball.

Originally, Djokovic's first offensive connection after serving raised the rhythm of the round; but in a blink of an eye, Gao Wen brought the rhythm down.

On the opposite side of the net, Djokovic's steps were already in place immediately, but he had to wait patiently, adjusting his steps while concentrating. He watched helplessly as Gawain had gained breathing space and returned to his position. This also meant that Djokovic's serve layout was resolved.

The layout must be restarted.

In fact, Gawain's timing for this lob was not only unexpected, but also clever.

It seems passive, but it is not that passive, so Gao Wen can have more time and space to control the shot, pull out a full parabola, and push the tennis ball to Djokovic's backhand baseline triangle in one fell swoop. After landing, Bounce high to create difficulty for the next attack.

If it were Kei Nishikori or Fognini, they would immediately step up to grab the rising point with this shot. Regardless of the fact that neither of them are Popeye-type players, a sweep of the backhand position can complete the quick connection. , the improvement of rhythm and speed becomes the superposition of return quality.

The threat factor skyrocketed.

However, this is not the case for Djokovic.

It's not that Djokovic won't grab the rising point, but his playing style is not like this. He is often used to retreating, not grabbing the rising point, waiting for the second fall after the tennis ball reaches the apex of the parabola, and then taking action. He would rather Slow down and focus on your control.

Gawain, precisely grasping this characteristic, suddenly lofted the ball——

The control is very precise, and the line is accurately pressed. The strong top spin after landing is completely released, and it spins rapidly towards Djokovic's cheek.

Djokovic's steps were habitually forced to take a step back.

His pride and confidence are not shown through aggressive attacks, but through his unparalleled baseline ability. He does not mind retreating and will not be upset about losing his offensive position because he knows that his baseline hitting ability will not Afraid of any opponent.

One step, just one step, to open up the space, and then you can see Djokovic's left leg retreating and then coming forward again with a turning movement.

Turn around.Step up.promote.

Go back first and then go up.

Even though there is no sprint inertial force from the run-up, it still relies on small movements and the backing of the body to form a pushing effect, and then the two-hand backhand is already struck.

Waiting for the second fall of the tennis ball, Djokovic was given sufficient time to adjust, backhand and flat shot with both hands, sweeping in a solid and steady manner.

boom.

Crisp, simple and efficient.

Backhand slash, "inside-out" line, across the court.

Indeed, power is not Djokovic's strong point. This shot was still calculated by Gawain. The excellent quality of the lob made Djokovic unable to do anything. It was basically a transition ball.

However, at this moment, Djokovic's concentration is highly concentrated, the quality of his hitting is still at a very high level, his brain is still running at a high speed, and the transition ball is also hidden.

From backhand slash to backhand slash, the two players' returns basically stay on the same track, but with different emphasis -

Gawain focuses on spin and parabola to create restrictions by lofting the ball.

Djokovic focused on placement and line, completing the maneuver with a flat shot.

This time the ball landed in a shallow area on the left sideline of Gao Wen, which was just a small triangle on the bottom line of the teeing area. After landing, it continued to rotate outwards.

The angle is completely torn apart, and the space on the horizontal axis is utilized to the extreme.

Not fast, not strong, he was completely within the coverage of Gawain, but the point is that Gawain's footsteps were directly pulled out of the doubles line. When he finished the hit, the whole person had disappeared from the singles area, and the court was completely Empty, doors wide open, targets everywhere.

Look, this is Djokovic.If someone thinks they can seize Djokovic's shortcomings and bombard him wildly, they will definitely lose miserably in the end.

So, how does Gawain respond?

Didn't Gawain expect this?No, of course he expected it, and from the moment he chose to lob the ball, his concentration was total.

For the first time, Gao Wen caught Djokovic's footwork adjustments and hitting movements. His pupils shrank and his steps were already moving towards the backhand position.

Three steps followed by two steps, and in a blink of an eye, he was already on his way, staring at the tennis ball intensely, and setting up his backhand with both hands early, like a fort.

Kick off your left leg, brake, and control your body.

The reaction force surged up along the calves, knees, and waist. With a twist, the backhand with both hands hit the front full and full.

work hard!

Use your strength without reservation, with all your heart and soul.

The entire turning movement and the entire swinging movement are pushed to the extreme. The racket still does not stop swinging after hitting the ball, and continues to rush towards the back of the head. The power and speed, inertia and explosion are completely condensed in an instant.

Then, release.

boom!
A solid and powerful hitting ball turned into a ball of fire, moving across the court mightily——

slash.

Still a slash.

Gawain knew that his entire court had been cleared, and he knew that choosing a straight line was the best way to avoid an embarrassing next shot, but Djokovic also knew this.

Catching Djokovic's figure moving laterally out of the corner of his vision, Gao Wen chose to return the ball without hesitation and once again used a diagonal line to contain it.

Moreover, it is not a casual light hit, but a flat hit with full force without any reservation.

The tennis ball, sweeping the mighty and powerful momentum, once again hit Djokovic's backhand position, and the flight path gradually became clear in the pupils——

Outward.Outward.Outward.

The angle was completely torn apart, to be precise, it was further torn apart.

Gao Wen caught Djokovic's angled return, pulled his body out instantly, aimed at the shallow area of ​​the service area, and made full use of the space on the horizontal axis.

heh.

The audience took a deep breath.

This is a diagonal shot that few people in the entire professional tennis world can hit, because the larger the angle, the more difficult it is to control. It not only requires a delicate and precise touch, but also requires a clear perception of the three-dimensional space of the entire court. The most important thing is , there can be no hesitation in taking action.

In the ATP, there are very few players who can complete this shot, and two of them are the two who are running and competing on the court in front of them.

But even for Gauvin and Djokovic, choosing such a hitting line requires some timing and cannot be taken casually.

As you come and go, the two players make full use of the horizontal axis space of the court and further expand it outwards. When you are at the scene, you can clearly see the crisscrossing lines appearing in front of you like a chessboard.

Tap, tap, tap.

The line of Djokovic's lateral sprint along the baseline whizzed straight down the court.

He did not give up.

To be precise, not only did he not give up, but his fighting spirit began to burn brightly, which was visible to the naked eye.