From the outside corner of the second zone, suppress the right-hand player's backhand. This is an iconic and classic routine, and it is also the most important set of weapons in Nadal's tactical routine.
On the third break point and count, Gawain showed his trump card.
But the only regret is that this is the second serve, the overall suppression effect is not as good as the first serve, and it is difficult to directly form a winning point.
Cilic was a little embarrassed, but in the extreme situation, he had already risked his life. He took a big step and flew out, and hit the backhand hard with both hands.
From a certain perspective, Cilic also realized that Gao Wen might continue to suppress his backhand, so he was fully mentally prepared at the critical moment. His backhand push and swing was very solid and firm, and he used his strength to hit the ball.
The action was completed quickly in a small area, and the body had already rushed out.
top!
Although he did not actively exert force, but passively received the ball, Cilic hit the ball very fully, and the flying power and speed of the tennis ball burst out instantly.
rush!
Cilic didn't open the angle, and obviously didn't have time, so the tennis ball rushed directly towards the middle and landed under Gawain's feet, pressing deeply and quickly, almost at the position of the ball within the baseline.
It rushed up like a fireball, not giving Gawain much room to adjust.
I have to say that Cilic's return of serve was very effective this time.
At this time, Gawain had no time and space to retreat. He had just returned to his original position after serving. In a hurry, he could only reflexively place the racket with his forehand on the path of the tennis ball, relying solely on the flight of the tennis ball.
The reaction force of the impact completes the handling of the bouncing ball.
Somewhat embarrassed.
Whizzing.
The tennis ball draws a small arc and flies over the net. However, the adjustment and control space for the rebound ball is too narrow and approaches zero infinitely. Therefore, you can see that the tennis ball landed slightly deeper in the midfield.
Not good.
The only good thing is that Gao Wen's wrist strength still controlled the return route, returned along the middle road, and also landed in the opposite middle area, which also meant that Cilic's attack angle was difficult to break apart.
Come.
Tread!
Tread!
Cilic's step to the bottom line was very fast. When faced with the opportunity to take stock, his entire reaction nerve was mobilized. The connection of the offensive rhythm was also significantly improved, and he had already entered the bottom line immediately.
Forehand! Power! Bounce!
Even when faced with a return ball in the middle, Cilic could no longer worry about it. There was no room for hesitation at this moment. He made a decisive decision and immediately started to attack. He used the power of his forearm and wrist to hit hard, and then the tennis ball was mixed with a storm.
Rushed over.
Backhand position!
Cilic hit a backslash, clearly using speed and backspin to compress Gawain's swing space, forcing Gawain to hastily complete the push and block, and then prepare for his next attack.
what to do?
Tap tap tap!
Tap tap tap!
Gawain was moving so fast that he couldn't think carefully in the flash of time. He could only rely on the instant inspiration after huge calculations in his mind.
Stop for a moment, kick the ground! Swing the racket! Push and block!
Gao Wen really didn't have time to swing the racket. He focused on bending his knees to lower his center of gravity, catching Cilic's backspin attack, and then pushed it back. But at the moment of release, the soft touch of his wrist still wrapped the tennis ball as far as possible.
Push to some locations in deep areas.
Although there was no space to actively exert force, Gao Wen still used the forward leaning movement to increase the driving force.
boom!
The whole hitting action was very solid, and the tennis ball jumped back immediately——
Cilic had just pulled a small backslash, and now Gao Wen hit the tennis ball back to the center, as if he was aiming for Cilic's stance.
This is indeed the case. Gawain deliberately aimed at Cilic's position and prepared to hit the sole of his foot. This is the same as serving close to the ball. The purpose is not to hit the opponent, but to squeeze the opponent's swing space.
But unfortunately, everything happened too fast, and Gawain's control was still not in place; Cilic maintained a high degree of concentration, moved in small steps continuously to open up the distance and space, and then the forehand artillery was set up again——
Frontal! Use your strength!
Cilic's entire power movement this time was very strong and complete, and his powerful hitting action released all his power in an instant.
boom!
Thunder!
It can be clearly felt that Cilic's hitting is aimed at winning points!
Wait, the batting line is——
Backslash!
Gao Wen's figure appeared on this side early, because his last shot was also a trap, making full use of the shot close to Cilic's position to force Cilic to complete the repeated route based on muscle memory conditions.
When hitting the ball, avoid changing the line and causing deformation of the force movement.
Even if the diagonal line is the trend of normal power movements, the brain is often prone to repeating the previous hitting action in a short while. Especially players like Cilic who have always been conservative in hitting routes believe more in their own inertia.
So, “Trap VS Trap”!
This time, Gawain's calculation was correct again, and his steps were already waiting for his backhand position. One shot of the ball could change the active and passive positions of both parties.
Whoosh.
Whoosh.
From the line of sight, you can see Cilic's powerful return dragging his long tail, and you can feel the powerful force in the air waves coming towards you.
But Gawain did not back down, not only did he not, but he also took the initiative to take a step forward——
Kick off the ground! Step forward!
The two-handed backhand started to lead the shot early, and the whole movement of kicking, turning, exerting force, and pushing was done in one go. The frontal confrontation of "power vs. power" stirred up a storm, and then the sound of releasing power erupted from deep in the Dantian.
ah!
Swing! Hit the ball! Use power!
Following Cilic, Gawain's backhand also exerted full force, releasing it mercilessly and without reservation, and the blood from the punches to the flesh filled the air.
Because Cilic's shot was very full, the risk of Gao Wen's forced line change was too great, so Gao Wen also increased his strength, aimed at the diagonal line and hit it back.
With a sudden push, the tennis ball jumped out at twice the speed, like lightning, and crashed hard and heavily towards Cilic's backhand, like a meteor.
boom!
The sound of hunting is stirring.
Cilic was shocked. He took the absolute initiative in the first shot, but ended up in Gawain's hands. He immediately fell into passivity in the next shot.
Tread. Tread. Tread.
A series of messy footwork adjustments exposed his shortcomings on the defensive end at the critical moment. It was too late to adjust his footwork, and he barely managed to get a shot with his two-handed backhand, because Gao Wen's hitting point was very deep, even on the ground.
Cilic stood a little further back.
If Cilic sticks to the baseline, there is no problem with this shot; but he has just entered the baseline to complete two consecutive attacks, and has not had time to go back, and now he has to hit a ball behind him, and he still uses the ball he is not good at.
