And it was still a flat serve, but Tsonga chose to take a risk and serve hard.
This time, he made it.
The speed is 180 kilometers per hour. It requires speed and strength. Although it cannot be compared with the first serve, it is very good for the second serve.
The tennis ball turned into a stream of light and jumped out directly, like a bolt of lightning.
boom!
Gawain's steps were a little lacking.
In fact, Gao Wen was not surprised that Tsonga once again chose the outside corner. He was mentally prepared, but Tsonga's serving speed still subverted expectations.
Inevitably, the accuracy of the footwork is affected, and the backhand with both hands is restricted due to abdominal muscle strain, unable to fully extend, and the means are limited.
what to do?
However, Gawain felt no panic or tension at all. He had been mentally prepared for the ever-changing game early; and after the training and test of the third set, his mental tenacity was even more ready to face any difficulties.
He took action very resolutely, with no hesitation at all.
One tip, one tip.
Beat lightly.
Gawain used the method of pushing and blocking combined with cutting, half-pushing and half-finishing, without any intention of exerting any force. He used his skill and force to push out a straight line.
Wonderful, wonderful beyond words! So wonderful!
This is also the biggest highlight of Gao Wen's third set. He does not rely on strength, but uses changes in technology, adjustments in tactics and manipulation of the touch to win by chance. The entire rhythm and frequency completely break his usual style and develop
A brand new tactic.
Light, clever and smart.
More often than not, you avoid strong collisions and instead use your own feel to control and "control the landing point."
On clay courts, "point control" is a very classic tactic. Because clay absorbs and consumes power, blindly exerting force often results in hitting a wall. Therefore, we should abandon the style of play that relies purely on strength and control the placement point and line layout.
Mobilize to tear apart the opponent's defense and establish an advantage.
Of course, Gao Wen does not play exclusively on clay, but he does absorb a lot of experience and skills, and re-integrates the output through his own understanding.
The hidden needle style of play really made Tsonga very uncomfortable, and he often had to face balls that exceeded his expectations.
This time, it's the same.
When faced with a powerful flat serve from the outside corner of the second area, 95% of the returns should be diagonal, but Gao Wen chose to hit a straight line with a light hit.
Although the power, spin, depth, etc. were lacking and were not enough to form a winning score, Tsonga did not expect it.
He was caught off guard when he was killed.
Stepping, kicking, sprinting——
Tsonga crossed the court, his steps a little heavy and a little panicked.
Moreover, after barely reaching the point, it was discovered that Gao Wen's return ball had almost no power, which meant that Tsonga could not use the force to hit the ball while running, and he needed to force himself; at the same time, the rebound height was at the knee
For balls coming from nearby, the center of gravity of the ball must drop again.
Run, bend your knees, exert force. All need to be done in one go.
Difficult. Difficult. More difficult.
Witnessing this shot with your own eyes, it should not be difficult to imagine that Gao Wen was able to save break points and secure serve in four consecutive service games.
"ah!"
Tsonga ignored this, exerted force and faced the difficulties.
During sprinting and running, the knees barely bend, but rely on the strength of the upper limbs to reach down, unreasonably hook up, and exert force at the same time.
Talent is on full display.
If it were any other player, such a shot would be basically unable to control the parabola and directly send the ball back to the opposite baseline, with overflowing power; but Tsonga's instant explosive power is restrained and fierce, and he completes the control just right, and the racket head is at the moment of shooting.
Take it up a notch and shake it up.
boom.
Solid, thick, and explosive——
The tennis ball flies along the diagonal line against the net like a torpedo.
Flat and low, fast and rushing.
On that side, Gao Wen used a return ball that lightly hit the control point to overturn the situation of the confrontation.
Here, Tsonga regained the upper hand with an unreasonable punch.
One comes, one goes.
Skillful and brute force.
Attack, counterattack.
The powerful collision between the needle tip and the wheat awn instantly burst out with a chilling air, and strong sparks filled the whole place. In the blink of an eye, Tsonga's counterattack once again pushed Gawain into despair.
To tread, to run.
Step, step, step, forget yourself and sprint with all your strength.
At this moment, for a very brief moment, Gawain temporarily forgot about the pain. The violent adrenaline completely overwhelmed the feeling of the pain nerves. His high morale and boiling blood continuously burst out with energy. His state and concentration improved to a whole new level, entering a new level.
A whole new level.
Gawain knew that opportunities should not be missed and they will never come back.
From the end of the second set to the entire third set, Gawain was adjusting, waiting, and struggling. Rather than fighting, it was better to hold on to the game and delay it, using all his skills.
Just barely clinging to life and keeping your game from completely falling apart.
He worked hard and tried his best, just like maintaining a dangerous building, which was crumbling and precarious.
Then, finally the opportunity came.
It's now.
From the previous one to this one, to be precise, it was this round, Gawain sensed an opportunity, perhaps the only chance to move towards victory.
He needs to rise up.
The surging power continued to roll in the wind and lightning, but this time, the feeling of stretching in the abdominal muscles was completely forgotten.
From the left end of the baseline to the right end, but the hitting point is still a little late——
Tsonga, indeed, exerted all his strength and rolled down the mountain.
Even though Gawain's speed has been increased to the extreme, it is still not comparable to his peak state, and the space for hitting the ball is still insufficient after the steps are in place.
But Gawain was not nervous at all, and glanced at Tsonga's position out of the corner of his eye.
Forehand, one cut.
Cutting appears again.
The legs are spread and extended, and the forehand is cut with the forearm and wrist, and all the power is dissipated in the continuous friction and rolling rotation.
straight line.
Gawain cut a straight shot, and made full use of the power of Tsonga's hitting, cutting it light and thin, and the tennis ball flew back close to the net.
Straight line, straight and straight, heavy and deep, pushing towards Tsonga's backhand baseline into a big triangle blind spot.
Compared with Tsonga's power, Gawain still continued his own tactics, avoiding power and controlling the landing point. His delicate touch is really amazing.
Press the line!
Gao Wen's return ball accurately went into the blind spot where the baseline and the sideline met, and seemed to be suspected of going out of bounds——
However, the linesman was very determined, his eyes were sharp, his movements were clean, and he put his hands together to make an inbounds gesture.
The impact point was on the side of the referee, and it could be seen from the referee's condescending position. He also made an inbounds gesture with his palm facing down.
Huh!
Amidst the exclamations of the entire audience, Tsonga's slightly heavy footsteps also rushed over.
At this point, you can see that Tsonga was once again pushed into passivity.
Obviously both players are seizing the initiative, but the change in position can be clearly felt in the confrontation between offense and offense, and Tsonga is in trouble.
It’s too late, it’s too late to backhand with both hands, what should I do?
Tsonga, holding his breath, stared at the ball with burning eyes.