Fish won the first set. The 34-year-old veteran once again showed the sophistication and maturity of the golden generation and took the next set first.
Gawain did not panic about this, and it could even be said that he had foreseen this scene.
He has been mentally prepared.
People saw the results of the first round, with Gao Wen losing only three games and sweeping Zverev. They took it for granted that Gao Wen had gotten rid of his injuries and fully recovered, and that the defending champion was ready to enter a top-level duel again.
But in fact, adjusting the state of tennis is not that simple.
Gao Wen knows that he needs time, games, and confrontations. He not only needs to find the highest state value, but also needs to improve the lowest state value. The ultimate goal is to maintain the average state value at a high level until entering the Grand Slam.
The adjustment was completed in the second week.
The first round is just the first step.
Objectively speaking, there is still a certain gap between Gao Wen's current state and his average level. Some clues can be seen from Zverev's game as a child——
The hitting power is slightly heavier, the return point is slightly deeper, the hitting spin is slightly more, the line layout breaks the inertia a little more often... and the most important thing is that the ball's stalemate is slightly longer.
"0:40".
"6:4".
Gao Wen won the second set and the two players returned to the same starting line.
Secondly, physical energy consumption also began to increase.
Not to mention comparing it with last September's Asian season, even comparing it with this year's clay court season, we can see the curve of growth step by step.
If Fish couldn't break Gawain's layout, bring more impact, or change the rhythm, the third set would very likely fall into Gawain's control——
Fish immediately felt something different. It was not a drastic change at the tactical level or state level, but a subtle change in the quality of the ball.
The first game of the second set.
The average number of rounds in the first three games of the second set was 5.5 shots.
In the ninth game of the second set, Fish served.
Gawain rarely chose to take risks when hitting the ball, he did not aim to hit the corners, nor did he take the initiative to change the line. There were not many cases where he forcibly changed the line to break the balance in difficult situations.
In addition, the batting feel also needs to be slowly adjusted, and the quick analysis and judgment of the situation, the analysis of batting selection, etc. also need to be reorganized. Although the smells and feelings are all there, there is a lack of actual combat in the game.
After all, it still feels not smooth and sensitive enough.
In fact, from a physical perspective, the injury has indeed healed and has no impact; but it still takes some time for the body to adapt to the game, adjust the intensity of the game, and recover after a best-of-five-set match.
, the adaptability to confrontation intensity is improved step by step.
Take a break between sets and review the entire first set——
It can be seen from the shot selection that Gawain is making adjustments.
In the last game, it was Zverev who was more willing to stalemate and prolong the round, but it was Gawain who shortened the beats when changing the rhythm.
Gawain suddenly exerted his strength, playing fast and fast, changing his attitude of seeing the ball in the round, subverting all previous confrontation layouts in the second set, catching Fish off guard, but Fish was lost in the rhythm pattern he was best at.
There were consecutive hitting errors, mostly at the bottom of the net.
Unlike Zverev, Fish is an experienced player and has met with the Big Four many times. He can even be regarded as a companion who has witnessed the growth of Nadal, Djokovic and Murray.
Although Fish's offense is still sharp and the rhythm is still tight, his offensive efficiency is slowly declining.
In fact, Gawain did the same thing.
Gao Wen thought that his performance was pretty good, so he kept holding on to the score, but that was all, and he did not put more pressure on Fish.
In the post-match interview, Gao Wen's words to Courier were all true. He really didn't think the score could reflect the intensity of the game.
Starting from the second set, Gao Wen's first step was to improve his game quality.
But in front of him, the position was reversed. Fish hoped to end the round as soon as possible, but Gawain limited Fish's offensive effect through changes in landing point and hitting method, and the round gradually became longer.
Perhaps, Gawain's batting state can only be regarded as about 60% to 70% of his peak state, but Gawain knows how to skillfully use this state to achieve his goal. This is also a manifestation of Gawain's gradual transformation into a master.
Comparing a set of data is very intuitive:
The average number of rounds in the first set was 3.8 shots.
In fact, from this level, we can see the control of the two players in a strong confrontation, as well as the skill reserves in their arsenal. Even if Gawain is still not adjusted to the best, his background is undoubtedly deeper.
Making the right choice at the right time and keeping a clear mind during the flash of lightning are themselves part of the "state".
First, Fish's control over the game was loosening.
A true professional can see that Gao Wen has gradually taken control of the situation, using his ball quality to form restrictions and pressure, and then completing the impact through variations. The entire second set's tactical thinking is clear and proactive enough.
Although Fish saved a break point, Gao Wen immediately returned the serve with a straight forehand that shocked everyone with his shooting skills. He accurately found the landing point in the large triangle area near the baseline and sideline, and broke the serve with an ACE attitude.
Disrupting, limiting, and counterattacking Fish's offensive touch through the quality of the return, and most importantly, interrupting Fish's offensive fluency. Let's not talk about whether Gao Wen's offense should increase the threat and open up the situation. At least it should create some for Fish.
Just trouble.
Then.
Gawain didn't act too hastily, and he wasn't prepared to do it all at once. He took it step by step.
At first glance, it was clear that Fish was trying to speed up and hit the ball as flatly as possible to create a confrontation, but he hit the ball too quickly and too hard, causing it to hit the net.
On the whole, it still focuses on control and layout, combined with rhythm changes, seizing the shortcomings of Zverev's lack of experience, and the desire to win mixed with the shame and pressure of "maximum consumption". That subtle mentality has become
Gao Wen's breakthrough point is to attack the heart first and take the initiative in the game step by step.
The whole change is very obvious, especially when Fish is in it, he feels it directly.
This also means that Gawain's layout needs to be more clever.
For the second round, Gao Wen was well prepared for the difficulties. He was ready not only to lose one set, but even to lose two sets.
He doesn't even need to improve his status or take risks to control the situation.
Immediately afterwards, in his own service game to win the game, Gawain further accelerated his pace, seizing the gap when Fish was in a slight trough and unable to gain a foothold, and scored four points in a row, sending a love-game, and easily completed the service.
The answer given by Fish is to give it a try. Anyway, he has nothing to lose. Whether he is facing the second in the world or the last event of his career, everything has come to the end. He can't
There is no need to hesitate or reserve, just show yourself to your heart’s content.
The excitement of the third set once again brought a small surprise.
After the game restarted, Fish was the first to break serve.