"Gawain VS Robredo", the first semi-final played by Valencia, is unusual. Reading the post-match technical statistics of the first two sets, you may be able to see some clues:
Unforced errors: Gawain, 27; Robredo, 20.
Both players reached 20. This statistic is extremely outrageous for both players.
Because neither Gawain nor Robredo is the adventurous type who makes a lot of mistakes, nor the strong type who attacks aggressively, such turnover data is indeed abnormal.
During the US Open, even in four- or five-set matches, the unforced error statistics of Gauvin and Robredo were not necessarily so high.
However, if you look at another technical statistic, you can understand what the trend of the game is.
Winning points: Gawain, 34; Robredo, 23.
Obviously, this is an offensive battle.
On indoor hard courts, offense does occupy a very, very important position. Players who defend and counterattack often find it difficult to find enough gaps to reverse the situation. Relying on smooth offense to take the initiative is the way to go.
Gao Wen and Robredo should have reached a consensus on this. Therefore, both players are competing for the initiative, and in the confrontation between suppression and counter-suppression, mistakes are inevitable; while indoor hard courts have a fast pace and a high error tolerance rate.
The low environment further amplified such characteristics, which led to such a situation.
In fact, Gao Wen did feel the huge pressure brought by Robredo. This is a player with not outstanding characteristics but no obvious loopholes.
Moreover, objectively speaking, Gao Wen's condition and feel have still not returned to their peak. At least there is still a slight gap compared with those during the US Open:
The constant mistakes are the most intuitive proof.
However, Gao Wen was still very decisive in his actions. Even if there were unforced errors, he still did not waver. He continued to insist on formulating tactics before the game. His big heart at the critical moment was slowly regaining his rhythm of the game.
These details are all different from the games in the Imperial City and the Magic City, and they are also direct proof that Gawain's status maintains an upward curve.
The results of the competition are the best reflection.
Both sets were tie-breaks, and the final score difference was only two points.
Both Gao Wen and Robredo performed very well, facing the opponent's impact with a strong attitude, and the head-to-head contest was full of sparks.
In the end, it depends on the performance at the critical moment. A little determination, a little luck, and a fight. Both players have saved and missed the count. The outcome of one point determines the outcome of the entire set.
towards.
In the first set, Gao Wen cashed in on his second set point with a winning point.
In the second set, on Robredo's third set point, Gao Wen took the initiative to attack and went down the net to hand over the victory.
Attack and mistakes, suppression and counterattack, this is the main theme of the game, and it is indeed very "indoor hard court"; and, don't look at the fact that both sets are tie-breaks, but the pace of the game is very fast, and the two sets only last 85 minutes.
That's it, there aren't many tug-of-wars around.
Despite this, the two players still went all out in the final set.
From "1:1" to "6:6", especially at the end of the game, both Gao Wen and Robredo showed incredible concentration and investment. Neither player saw the match point, so
, this game will enter the tiebreaker for the third consecutive set——
Are you sure this isn't a match between Isner and Karlovic?
In the third tie-break, Robredo took the lead in serving.
In the first point, Robredo still maintained a high level of concentration, playing steadily from serving to attacking, and was ready for a long and multi-round fight.
However, Gawain didn’t think so——
On the fifth shot of the round, Robredo hit a diagonal shot at a small angle with his forehand, aiming at Gao Wen's midfield position from his right side.
This is a transition ball with hidden edge.
Robredo deliberately chose the middle zone and landed on the path of Gao Wen's lateral movement. Special attention needs to be paid to adjusting his footsteps, otherwise it will be easy to overrun; at the same time, the return point is very deep, almost on the baseline, passing through the deep zone.
Suppress and squeeze Gawain's swing space.
In other words, the transition ball is indeed a transition ball, but Gao Wen needs to be very careful when handling it.
I have to say that Robredo's batting was indeed very solid. This time, he also successfully squeezed Gawain——
In the process of moving laterally to defend the forehand position, his pace was slightly faster. Unexpectedly, Robredo deliberately did not pull away from the angle, and the inertia of the forward thrust was slightly too strong.
In addition, Robredo hid a backspin, and the rebound height of the tennis ball after landing was near the waist and abdomen, further squeezing Gawain's swing space.
Even if it is not an offense, the transition ball can still gain the upper hand in the confrontation.
According to common sense, Gao Wen also responded with a transition ball to solve the crisis, which is fine. Because Robredo's hitting is not about winning points, but accumulating advantages, so it is impossible for Gao Wen to be unable to complete the return ball.
Next, Robredo will definitely connect the offense and further expand his advantage.
At this moment, this shot most directly shows the continued recovery and upward trend of Gawain's state:
With his forehand pinned to his body, he could barely stretch his swing, but he relied on his forearms to complete the attack with the power of rotation.
Yes, not transition, but attack.
Of course, it is not a forced attack with active force, but a rising point through the power of swinging the forearm.
When hitting the ball, you can see that when Gawain is running at high speed, his center of gravity is completely lowered on his knees. He seizes the opportunity when Robredo's return ball lands on the baseline, and uses his squatting action to create a rebound effect from the wall.
Then the forearm swings quickly to complete the force and push the tennis ball back.
The key point is that Gawain made a small diagonal line back; moreover, the angle was torn apart.
Robredo didn't expect it at all and was caught off guard. Even though his footsteps stopped near his forehand, he still staggered and continued to move laterally to the right, and reluctantly cut a big diagonal shot with his forehand.
, pulled a diagonal, trying to contain Gawain.
However, Gawain went online.
In the first moment, Gawain's footsteps had already entered the baseline. He stepped forward at full speed, grabbing the commanding height of Robredo's parabola that raised the ball slightly. He took the lead before the tennis ball's falling point hit the net.
Use your forehand to push forward in a straight line with a cutting motion.
Whoosh!
Robredo had just started the second time, and the tennis ball had already hit the ground and bounced out.
"1:0".
At a passive moment that was not an opportunity, Gao Wen launched an attack boldly and carefully, and the entire transition between offense and defense was smooth and smooth. It was not only sudden but also powerful, catching Robredo off guard, and then took the lead in completing the mini-break in the tie-break of the final set.
Immediately afterwards, Gao Wen kept his two serving points in a row and took a "3:0" lead, establishing the lead in the tie-break. Robredo did not give Robredo a chance to come back, leading all the way, and the first match point was
Use a strong forehand straight attack to realize the victory.
