A very important part of tennis is anticipation. If you wait for your opponent to attack before you start, you will easily fall into passivity and slow down every step.
In the final analysis, prediction is a kind of talent. In addition to intuition and perception, it also includes the ability to read the game, calculate probability, draw inferences from one instance, etc.
Of course, everything happens in a flash, and the brain's rotation speed often cannot keep up with the changes in hitting the ball. The subconscious mind still plays an important role.
It is precisely because of this that the more times we play against each other and the deeper the familiarity is, the higher the accuracy of predicting the hitting line will be.
One of the important reasons why the Big Four can always offer peak duels is:
They have met each other too many times, far more than other players, and even dominate the historical list. They are really too familiar with each other, their predictions are more accurate, and they know their routines by heart.
This leads to a more stalemate between offense and defense. On the one hand, it also forces players to break their own routines and seek different means and strategies to gain an advantage.
Look back to the present moment.
This was the first meeting between Gao Wen and Tsonga in their careers, and they were not familiar with each other; but as the game entered the fifth set, their respective styles and routines were fully demonstrated.
So, the next step is to look at the player’s personal abilities:
You are now at a disadvantage in moving position, and if you choose to attack rashly, you will further lose your position, and you may be very passive when you return to defense later.
cutting.
Gao Wen used strong underspin to slice a deep ball:
The landing point was basically parallel to Tsonga's stance; at the same time, it still had a strong backspin and fell sharply over the net.
Read the game, analyze the game, and predict the game.
If Tsonga is standing on the baseline at this time, then facing the chip, he can directly attack with all his strength, catch Gawain's weak shot and return the ball to further expand his advantage, and even form a winning point with one shot and kill it directly, because
Cutting away is tantamount to giving up the initiative.
But at this time, Tsonga's footsteps are within the baseline, at the junction between the frontcourt and the backcourt. From a positive point of view, it is a position of "advance, attack, retreat and defense", and from a negative point of view, it is "neither up nor down."
"Slightly embarrassing" position, it all depends on how the two players play and choose.
The real impact is that when Tsonga is ready to attack with all his strength and use his strength to suppress or even win points, he often chooses a slash——
In contrast, a straight-line forehand attack is often paired with following the ball to the net, creating interference through pressure in front of the net and making up for the slight loss of power in the straight-line shot.
A big step.
Tsonga, who is 188 centimeters tall but weighs 93 kilograms, is tall and bulky. He always moves a little clumsily. Footwork is obviously not his best skill.
Of course, such detailed differences are not obvious in the game. Even if Tezon increases and decreases the force, the intimidation of the straight line of the forehand is still very strong.
However, when Tsonga chooses to change the line, he often relies on personal strength to push it, and does not rely on the increase in racket speed. This way of hitting the ball also causes the straight line of the forehand to lack some stability - because there is not enough friction.
Naturally, the control power is weaker.
Gawain's entire batting seemed very light and soft. The slightly squeezed steps and swing movements were all relaxed due to the cutting action. He regained his center of gravity and completed the adjustment in just a short moment.
Then, wrap the tennis ball and cut out a backspin.
Looking at it, Tsonga was about to collide head-on with Gawain's return ball at the intersection, creating a tragic car accident.
In a passive situation, Gawain slowed down the pace with cutting, which put Tsonga in an awkward position.
Backspin!
This is the deciding set and he needs to play smarter and more efficiently.
Strong backspin!
Three giant steps.
Tsonga was a little surprised, but he still moved very promptly. He moved from the center of the court towards his left side and was already in place with two long strides.
Two giant steps.
Because this route does not retain the option of a full-scale violent attack.
Tsonga's only option is to move laterally, but then he has to face the problem of rebounding the ball at his feet, which is not easy to deal with.
However, Tsonga's mind was clear and he was not nervous or panicked at all.
Moreover, Tsonga's position is still in the midfield, he can advance, attack, retreat or defend. His own breakthrough may not be able to break Tsonga's blockade.
As it happens, this is Gawain's strength.
In the blink of an eye, Gawain had already made a choice based on his deciding strategy——
Gawain, think quickly——
The result from these experiences is that the key to prediction is to observe the placement of your return and Tsonga's footwork.
This also means that Tsonga will be stuck when trying to hit the net. If he tries to retreat, it will be too late and he will be in an embarrassing dilemma.
The past four games are the best data. It depends on who can extract more nutrients from these data and turn them into weapons to break the game.
Light, agile and dancing.
Judging from the forehand hitting, Tsonga has all-round abilities, such as diagonal and straight balls, high lift, etc., all of which are no problem. It is indeed his strongest weapon.
Unfortunately, it was still a little rushed and crowded.
Even before Tsonga hit the ball, Gawain had already moved ahead and bought himself time——
Therefore, when Tsonga chooses a straight forehand, he will often reduce his force slightly to increase control and avoid going out of bounds.
After predicting and moving his steps in advance, Gao Wen did not choose to hit the wall and fight back, but instead made a forehand cut.
Tsonga took advantage of the situation and jumped up. His bulky body jumped out of the way. Then the racket appeared in front of his body and he actively swung it forward. He didn't even wait for the tennis ball to hit the ground. He intercepted the tennis ball halfway before it continued to fall, and relied on
With the strength of his wrist and forearm, he turned a spear in front of him and cut the tennis ball back.
really!
Tsonga's forehand attack relies on the instant burst of power and speed to create suppression. This is a physical advantage. Even if Gawain has moved ahead of time, he can still deeply feel the continuous impact of the tail force of the ball.
The limited space left for him to hit the ball is still a problem.
Despite this, his long strides seemed powerful, and he had caught up to the position in a blink of an eye, but he had no intention of braking and continued to stride.
It's a volley and it's a cutting.
At this time, Tsonga showed off his excellent physical talent. Even though he was bulky, he relied on the strength of his wrist to complete a very difficult cutting volley in the short time he was in the air.
Not only did it resolve Gawain’s cutting problem, but it also fully utilized the court again——
The tennis ball flew out in a full parabola, high and floating, super spinning, flying along a diagonal line, aiming at the blind spot on the baseline of Gawain's backhand position.
From Tsonga's left baseline to Gawain's left blind spot, this return shot can be called a great shift in the world, affecting the attention of the entire audience and fluttering together.