It passed by in a hurry, and the vacation was over before I even had time to enjoy it.
After that, Gao Wen trained at UCLA for a short three days before embarking on the journey again, leaving Los Angeles and heading to Delhi, India, to fight for his country, face India in the Davis Cup, and give it a try for a place in the World Group play-offs.
.
There was no figure of Macdonald in the team -
It's not because Macdonald is still mumbling and hasn't made a decision, but because the Davis Cup is about representing the country, and Gao Wen tried his best to ensure that the accompanying team is as streamlined as possible. Only Peart will accompany him alone. Otherwise, a weekend of events will not be enough.
Bringing a batting partner is too much.
The match against India was more difficult than expected.
Although the promotion of tennis in India is not extensive, compared with cricket, which is crowded with people, it is basically a sky and an underground, and the singles arena always lacks a leader; but in fact, India has always been the kingdom of tennis doubles, occupying the leading position in the professional tennis arena.
Important page:
Players such as Mahesh-Bhupathi, Leander-Paes, Sania-Mirza, etc. have all reached the top of the world in doubles and won many titles.
A Grand Slam champion and a legend in the doubles field.
Thanks to the guidance of these top players, Indian tennis also has its own heritage and glory, not only in doubles, but also in singles.
In fact, neither Bhupathi nor Paes signed up to participate in this year's Davis Cup. India's originally strongest doubles team became its weakest link.
However, among the Indian singles players, three of this generation in their prime are ranked among the top 150 in the world. Their overall strength is not weak, so they are ranked second seed in the Asia/Oceania region, second only to
Uzbekistan, led by Istomin, is quite competitive.
It is conceivable that all the burdens are weighing heavily on Gawain's shoulders——
The media generally speculated that in order to ensure victory, China will arrange two singles matches for Gao Wen to ensure two wins, and then compete in the other three matches, especially the doubles, hoping to achieve a breakthrough, win a victory, and advance to the next round.
One round.
However... it didn't.
Li Zhe said in an interview that Gao Wen was very cooperative and active. He was willing to play in the game whether it was singles or doubles. He also very much hoped to carry the banner and lead the team forward and lead China in the Davis Cup.
The territory has further reached the highest stage.
In fact, Gawain volunteered and was willing to take on the responsibility of two singles matches.
But there is also a consensus within the team that they should believe in Gawain, but they cannot just rely on Gawain.
Otherwise, Gao Wen will drag the team forward alone and falter. Even if they defeat India and advance to the next round, they will still be unable to move forward when facing more severe challenges in the play-offs. They should not become Gao Wen's burden. On the contrary, they should become Gao Wen.
Wen fought side by side with help.
India is a challenge, but it is also the only way for them to reach the next stage——
"We need to show growth, and we also need to show team spirit."
If even India needs to be prepared, what should they do when they face the top teams ranked among the top 20 in the world?
Therefore, China took a very bold and risky approach and only arranged for Gao Wen to play a singles match.
Facts have proved that this team is indeed growing.
On the first competition day, I witnessed surprises and history at the same time.
The first single, Gao Wen, took the lead.
Facing Somdev-Devvarman, ranked 87th in the world, Gao Wen swept his opponent in three straight sets.
"6:2", "6:1", "6:1".
The whole match lasted less than 100 minutes, showing a good competitive state and the style of the world's second best player. There was no suspense about the outcome.
The second singles player Zhang Ze followed closely behind.
Zhang Ze’s opponent is a young rookie, Yuki-Bhambri, who was born in 1992. Although the latter is currently ranked only 147th in the world, his upward momentum is very fierce, and he cannot compete with Zhang Ze.
On the other hand, this game is generally considered to be a tough battle.
The game was indeed very, very close.
In the first four sets, the two players were evenly matched, "6:4", "4:6", "6:1", and "5:7".
Ban Buri is in front, Zhang Ze is behind.
Bambry's offense, although rough, is extremely strong. The entire batting has the attitude of a young man who doesn't give up, and even three axes can achieve great results.
Especially in the third and fourth sets, Zhang Ze's physical fitness reached the extreme, and he obviously couldn't hold on to the game. It was very difficult, very, very difficult. He was once in danger and stood on the edge of the cliff; but the key to Zhang Ze's self-breakthrough this season is
I always show my courage, and the whole situation is different.
After completing a fatal break at the end of the fourth set, he became more and more courageous in the decisive set. He seized on the obvious loopholes in the decisive stage caused by the uneven distribution of young people's physical fitness, and actually broke Bambry's two serve games in a row, leading all the way.
He was strong all the way and won the deciding set in one fell swoop.
"2:6".
Zhang Ze won.
An unexpected victory, a crucial victory, a victory of self-breakthrough——
Following his unexpected breakthrough at the Australian Open at the beginning of the year, Zhang Ze also made progress in the Davis Cup.
Immediately afterwards, carrying this momentum and energy, the third doubles match was completely under China's control.
The partnership of Wu Di and Li Zhe was in full form, winning two consecutive tie-breaks to widen the gap in the score. In the third set, they destroyed their opponents with all their strength, and finally defeated the young Indian doubles combination with a score of "6:1".
An incredible but hearty way to bring it to an end.
"3:0"!
Although there is still a second match day to be played, China has made history. After 25 years since 1990, it has returned to the World Group play-offs again, striving to enter the World Group next year to witness the highest level of competition.
Qualifications.
Speaking of surprise, it was indeed a surprise, especially the score of "3:0", which was so crisp and straightforward, which was definitely not expected.
Not unexpected, but not surprising either. Gao Wen's existence not only acts as a talisman, but also brings the team together by setting an example. Now this group of players in their prime have also been inspired, both on and off the court.
Their performance is also slowly improving.
Perhaps, for the players, the media and the fans, they all need to slowly adapt to the fact that Gao Wen's arrival is bringing more changes, and they need a little time.
Originally, people thought it was full of suspense. Before the game, they kept exaggerating the atmosphere, emphasizing the strength of India, emphasizing that this opponent must not be underestimated, trying to create some expectations and drama, just like the World Cup, which has been seen time and time again across Asia.
Opponents are "not to be taken lightly".
result--
That's it?
Accomplishing the goal in such an understatement is like going to Delhi for a self-funded trip, sweeping the victory, and turning around without taking away a single cloud.
So much so that the media and netizens were a little bit offended, as if they couldn't celebrate, and even the cheers lacked some passion.
So, is this what Argentine football feels like with Messi?