In just half a year, Djokovic and Gao Wen have played against each other four times, and currently have a total record of one win and three losses, all of which came from hard court events.
This is unusual, very, very unusual. It feels like being at a complete disadvantage against Federer and Nadal early in his career.
But since he completed his transformation and became the world's number one, he has not been so passive for a long, long time.
Doesn't Djokovic realize this?
of course not.
Not only did he realize it, but he also deeply remembered that he had been trying to adjust and regain his rhythm of the game.
In London, he succeeded. He learned the lessons of Paris, upgraded comprehensively, took control of the game, and turned the situation around. It was undoubtedly a success.
However!
After experiencing the training in the offseason, Gao Wen once again completed his transformation. The period of youth and frivolity is the stage of explosive growth of strength, and he thrives.
Arriving in Melbourne, Gao Wen was more mature, more comprehensive, and stronger, blooming like an edge polished by frost.
In a bad situation where the final was extremely passive and difficult, Gao Wen successfully found the key to overturning the situation and once again took the initiative in the confrontation.
The core key lies in the two shots just now:
One shot is a diagonal forehand, and the other shot is a straight forehand.
The focus is not on forehand or backhand, nor on diagonal or straight line, but on the ability to capture opportunities, create opportunities, and strike decisively.
A kind of competitive temperament.
Not only is he bold, but he is also crazy; at the same time, Gawain also has the ability to transform his ideas into reality, which makes the situation difficult.
Just like this time.
what to do?
At the critical moment, you can see the style of being the best in the world.
Surrender?
Absolutely impossible!
Surrender, this word was not an option at all. Djokovic's attention was completely concentrated, and he had already reacted when he realized Gawain's shot.
Kick the ground.
move.
gallop.
Sprint.
Djokovic showed off his top mobility——
When it comes to movement, the first impression that comes to people's minds is often Nadal's invincibility, Hewitt's hare, Schwarzman's small steel cannon and the new generation De Minaur's Scud;
But in fact, Djokovic and Murray's movements are not inferior.
The wind was so fast that it was dazzling, and it seemed like you could see an afterimage being dragged behind you, melting into the strong wind of Indian Wells.
In a blink of an eye!
Djokovic appeared from one end of the baseline to the other, and his light and agile steps seemed to have disappeared.
at the same time.
Djokovic noticed Gawain's backspin, which meant that the tennis ball did not have much rebound power after it hit the ground, and the space for hitting the ball was very limited.
Therefore, Djokovic thought of a countermeasure early, turned his back to the court, and used his signature hard court slide to gain time to hit the ball.
Then, I could no longer stretch my two-handed backhand, so I simply used a one-handed backhand. Just like a top sashimi chef, the racket is his chef's knife, and he slices it gently, and the thin sashimi is born.
——
There is no power at all, but the effect is amazing.
The tennis ball flew back.
Moreover, the arc was not completely pulled up, almost touching the net and flying at low altitude.
The whole control, the whole package, unrivaled in the world.
Djokovic's handling not only bought him time and space to quickly complete adjustments and prepare for the next shot; but also his excellent skills and soft touch reversed the situation again, even if there was no room to swing the racket.
He still controlled the return of the ball in his own way.
Wonderful!
It's so exciting that it makes your scalp numb and makes you want to stand up and applaud!
The tennis ball flew back along the diagonal line and landed on the outside edge of the service area on the left side of Gaowen's half.
Press the line accurately!
Not only is it spinning downwards, but it is also spinning sideways. After landing, it jumps out and continues to spin at high speed.
See, this is ability.
It was clear that Djokovic was in a completely passive situation, but the handling of this shot reversed the situation again and pushed Gawain to the edge of the cliff.
The pinnacle showdown is well-deserved.
So, what about Gawain?
Gawain is moving, just like Djokovic, moving in a wide range on the horizontal axis of the bottom line, and the two figures are moving to his left side at the same time.
Cross over.
The steps, from long strides to small steps, are adjusted while sprinting, and the peripheral vision is always observing the opponent's shot.
Although Gao Wen expected that Djokovic would choose a diagonal line and move in advance, this time, Djokovic's calculation was ahead of the curve.
A side spin plus an external spin is even better than the change of line that Gao Wen just made. After landing, it bounces outwards, increasing the distance of movement, and the entire hitting space also changes.
what to do?
While running wildly, Gawain had already completed his judgment——
Even if the steps arrive, there is not much space left for swinging and hitting; moreover, Djokovic's steps are returning to position, re-finding his defensive focus and footwork rhythm.
This also means that my own return needs to further contain Djokovic.
The brain is running at high speed.
One kick.
The whole person took a step forward.
Step on it again.
Push your right leg to the ground and apply the emergency brake.
As he rushed and stopped, the ground reaction force hit his face like a mountain roaring and a tsunami. The tight muscles spread all the way from his calves, and in the blink of an eye, his entire body became a fully drawn bow and arrow.
work hard?
Is Gawain prepared to exert force in such a passive situation?
But saw——
Gawain also turned his back to the court and also used a one-handed backhand.
Block everything.
If there is no swing space, Gao Wen will give up the swing and just use a small cut to back off.
There is no hitting time, so Gao Wen compresses the hitting action and creates spin through the friction between the racket string and the tennis ball.
Treat others the same way you treat them.
One touch.
It was a very, very brief touch, but the wrist wrapped the tennis ball softly and delicately, and then you could see that the tennis ball had flown out.
This parabola...?
Because Gawain's treatment is very sudden, short and very secretive, the parabola is also a bit blurry, making it difficult to judge accurately for a while.
Slash, then what?
Long or short? Deep or small?
Even Djokovic paused for a moment, stared closely at the tennis ball, tried to make a judgment, and was half a beat slow before starting the second time.
small ball!
incredible!
Gawain turned his back to the court and cut a small ball with one hand!
When Djokovic reacted, he immediately leaned forward and sprinted, running at full speed, but he realized after just three steps:
Too late.
Gawain's little ball, so magical, will go over the net, almost close to the net, straight up and down.
Line, perfect.
Relief, perfect.
On point, perfect.
This is a perfect little ball.
Even if Djokovic sprinted with all his strength, it was still too late.
Before his eyes, Djokovic watched the tennis ball fall to the ground, and then jumped twice. He was helpless and his shoulders drooped.
Forty shots!
A total of forty strokes of batting finally ended with Gawain's victory and the end of the game was announced——