The quality of returning the ball is different, it is indeed different.
Gao Wen and Nadal have met twice in official matches on clay courts. Even at a low state, the weight and quality of spin are still heavy; when it comes to indoor hard courts, Nadal's spin degree is greatly increased due to the texture of the court.
Weakened, the pressure will naturally be reduced.
However, entering the second half of the second set, the quality of Nadal's strong topspin on his forehand was comparable to that of Roland Garros.
The impact of the same rotation on different venues is indeed different.
Gao Wen was indeed having a hard time. He instantly returned to the feeling of meeting Nadal for the first time in his career in the Imperial Capital last year. It was the first time that he had to re-judge and re-understand the entire quality of his shot.
But the key is that Gao Wen is no longer the same Gao Wen he was last September. He has also been mentally prepared for his understanding of the game, his adaptation to the intensity, and his overall improvement in his mastery.
Slash, deep area——
The return line itself was what Gawain expected.
then.
The connection between the entire swing and hitting was not panicked. Although the quality of the return exceeded expectations, Gao Wen also showed his ability to adapt to the situation.
work hard?
No.
Facing a forehand topspin like Nadal's, you must have enough space to hit the ball with force, otherwise it will fly directly and cannot suppress the spin; it is precisely because of this that Nadal cleverly uses his forehand to hit the ball.
, forcing the opponent to retreat, opening up the space between the footsteps and the baseline. Once the retreat begins, the difficulty of transitioning between offense and defense will increase.
Everything is a routine.
Gao Wen was not prepared to retreat, so he could not use force to attack; but Gao Wen also learned a lot of experience from the games between Federer and Djokovic. His backhand shot gave up power and instead took a shot.
.
Half roll, half pocket, half push and half delivery.
Gao Wen's backhand shot was very clever. He wrapped the tennis ball and pushed it in a straight line. He did not exert any force, just hit it lightly, and did not push it deeply. Instead, he chose a shallow landing point, just past the baseline of the service area.
Four taels is equivalent to a thousand catties.
On that side, Nadal was constrained by the serve and struggled to fight in the difficult situation.
Here, when Gawain was squeezed, he used softness to overcome hardness to complete the layout of the beat.
Tension spreads in another way.
O2 Arena, everything is quiet——
Not because it's boring, but because it's light and clever.
Tennis has never been just about strength and speed, but about how to arrange and combine the game. In addition to the physical confrontation, there is also the collision of the intellectual and spiritual levels.
Just like this moment before me.
Both Gawain and Nadal showed their tennis wisdom.
Then.
When Nadal suddenly stopped and turned, started a second time, crossed the court, and rushed over, Nadal immediately realized that he had no room to hit the ball.
Gao Wen's nudge was shallow and light. Firstly, there was no jumping height, and secondly, there was no flying power. As a result, Nadal had no time to take a step across the court. The second fall of the tennis ball was already close to the ground.
The shot must be completed at a low point. In the end, the only option is to cut with the backhand before falling further into passiveness.
But, is cutting just cutting?
No.
Nadal's understanding of spin is indeed unparalleled in the ATP world. Even in the simplest cuts, Nadal still has his own understanding and wisdom.
Straight line, deep area.
Also, spin sideways.
Nadal's one-handed backhand chip, with a barb-like side spin, flew in the direction of Gawain's stance after landing, and got into Gawain's arms.
Gao Wen's steps were solid and stable, not chaotic, because he was completely in control of the previous shot. He still stayed on the backhand side of the court and was able to reach the position immediately. But while moving to the left, the tennis ball
It accelerates towards you, and the swing space and hitting position are in a state of change.
What was originally a slow movement and slow shooting turned into a slow movement and fast shooting.
Such a time difference can often cause interference.
then--
Gawain pushed backhand straight into the deep area.
Nadal showed no sign of weakness and pushed backhand into the deep zone.
"Backhand VS Backhand".
The two players stand in a straight position, forming a backhand confrontation, and rely on placement and rotation to restrain each other.
Who will break the deadlock first?
Gawain.
The answer is still Gawain.
After fighting backhand for several consecutive shots, Gawain caught Nadal using topspin to create a containment gap. Not only did he not retreat, but he stepped forward.
One took the initiative and grabbed an ascending point——
One of the shortcomings of Nadal's strong topspin is that if the opponent seizes the opportunity to step forward in time, and does not wait for the spin to be fully released to grab an ascending point and directly take action, then this will become an opportunity for the opponent to attack.
Kei Nishikori and Fognini, these two players are very good at this. Maybe Nadal can always beat them, but every time they meet, it will be very awkward. The conflicting playing style is part of the very important reason.
After the US Open, Gao Wen's confidence reached a high point. During the Asian season and the European indoor hard court season, the number of shots he took the initiative to hit the bottom line slowly increased. Although he still likes to stay at the bottom line, his tactical routine has changed.
significantly enriched.
At this time, he seized the opportunity.
Backhand, grab the point.
Slash, exert force.
Very suddenly and without warning, Gawain launched another attack, increasing the rhythm of the entire ball return.
Tread, tap, tap.
Nadal was running wildly across the field. His speed had increased to the extreme. He could barely see his steps. He had arrived at lightning speed——
Although a little embarrassed, it was still in place successfully.
Obviously, Nadal has also been mentally prepared. His reaction and start were very timely, and there were no surprises. He anticipated Gawain's hitting line.
When the steps are in place, pull the forehand again for super topspin.
And, deep zone.
The strong rotation rushed towards Gawain's position like a hot wheel.
This time, Nadal returned the ball with obvious purpose, aiming at Gawain's position and pulling out strong topspin, forming a squeeze and impact, trying to destroy Gawain's continuous attacks.
Maybe Gawain can't hit the mercury-dropping effect like Federer, but never underestimate Gawain's super ability to attack continuously.
Even when defending, you still need to create pressure. This is the real top defense.
but!
Is Gawain just waiting there obediently?
The answer, of course, is no.
When Gao Wen chose to step up to grab the rising point, he was already planning for the next shot. He noticed Nadal's top spin, his pupils quickly contracted, and he had already set up the formation by moving in small steps continuously——
Adjust, continue to adjust, continue to adjust.
Step forward, cut to the bottom line, and continue to grab points.
Although Nadal had used super topspin to create a squeeze, Gauvin not only did not retreat, but also aggressively stepped forward to launch an attack.
And, sideways forehand.
Gawain turned his body sideways without hesitation, opened his arms like a roc's wings, and struck forward with a forehand attack, seizing the rising point and exerting force instantly.
ah!
The power deep in the Dantian is released like this.