He anticipated Gawain's straight forehand, and always kept lightness in his steps when returning to defense. His center of gravity never left, and he immediately launched a counterattack with a two-handed backhand.
And, exert force and attack forcefully.
The combination ball of two consecutive shots completes the attack connection.
So, what about Gawain?
Tread, tap, tap.
In the blink of an eye, Gao Wen also appeared on the backhand position. With easy steps and quick figure, he appeared on the path of the incoming ball immediately.
However, this is also Gawain's layout.
He realized that Djokovic's two-handed backhand diagonal point control was a threat, so he launched a confrontation and used strong upward selection to block Djokovic's swing space and restrict Djokovic from repeating it.
The space for hitting a straight back shot makes it easier to predict the next shot.
Start, cross, sprint.
He crosses the court quickly and appears on his backhand position with precision.
Calculation. Game. Confrontation.
The tit-for-tat confrontation between the two players never stopped.
The so-called battle of wits and courage means that every shot is planned and calculated, but the opponent may break the game at any time, so the next shot must be used in one's own planning space, and the reaction between the lightning and flint is astonishing.
Let’s see whose layout and calculation can take the longer term. One more step is a step.
At least for now——
Evenly matched.
Then, Gawain's steps were already in place quickly, he stepped on the brakes with his left leg, and he was already facing forward with a backhand shot with both hands, exerting all his strength.
straight line?
No, slash.
In this shot, Gawain did not pause or hesitate. What he was pursuing was a connection that instantly increased the intensity in terms of speed, rhythm, power, etc.
reason?
Raid.
Djokovic's past two shots have been improving the quality of his attack, while Gauvin has dealt with it in different ways. Now he should also counterattack, using Gauvin's method to break the rhythm and put the pressure on Djokovic.
Therefore, Gawain's shot was very determined, and the speed of his racket was completely increased.
boom!
The diagonal flat shot from the two-handed backhand not only borrows force, but also generates force.
ah!
With a roar, the tennis ball instantly crossed the court, dragging its long tail mightily and crashing into Djokovic's backhand like a fireball.
Fast. Heavy. Flat.
Also, Shen.
Gao Wen's backhand was a typical flat attack on fast and hard courts. The quality of the entire attack was improved to another level based on the previous one, and he rushed towards Djokovic with all his strength.
So, what about Djokovic?
Although he was trying to get back on defense, he was in time and Djokovic was not afraid of his two-handed backhand. He faced the opponent head-on and prepared for a head-on collision, showing the style of "the world's No. 1 double backhand" without any timidity.
Cringe?
nonexistent.
Not only did he not flinch, but Djokovic became bolder and more adventurous, because he knew that facing Gao Wen, in addition to regular square balls, he also needed some bold breakthroughs, just like every time Gao Wen faced Djoko.
Like Vic, now Djokovic also needs to use Gao Wen's strategy to deal with Gao Wen.
At least, on the backhand position, Djokovic has not been afraid of anyone.
So, Djokovic not only faced the opponent head-on, but also changed his line.
Generally speaking, it is normal to face such a solid, steady and tough backhand attack by Gawain and use your strength to push back. That is, Nadal's super forehand dares to fight and counterattack under such circumstances.
But now, Djokovic just tried it. Not only did he try it, but he also succeeded.
One push, one throw, one push.
The entire hitting movement was completed in one go, and Djokovic also burst out with a roar, and the energy deep in his Dantian was released without reservation.
Change from diagonal line to straight line.
The tennis ball turned into a bolt of lightning and flew towards Gawain's forehand position at high speed.
Huh!
The O2 Arena was filled with exclamations and jaw-dropping looks at Djokovic's change of shot, which undoubtedly demonstrated giant-level strength.
but--
Gawain is running, Gawain is moving, Gawain is pursuing.
Gao Wen couldn't say that he accurately predicted Djokovic's line change, but he was not surprised because he knew Djokovic's ability. At the same time, he could also see Djokovic's ability in today's game.
Faith, the courage to try to change the line at this moment, is indeed an important change in coming to London this time.
It doesn’t matter if you don’t have any predictions. At least you should be mentally prepared. The second start was very timely, and you ran across the court immediately and flew away.
Eyes see in six directions, ears listen in all directions.
While running wildly and observing, the three-dimensional image of the entire stadium's space was already laid out in his mind, and Gawain immediately caught the gap——
Chance!
Dilemma, indeed a dilemma. Djokovic's change of direction was sudden, bold and strong enough to turn the situation around in an instant and gain a slight upper hand again.
Although Djokovic also knew that this shot was not enough to form a winning point, and Gawain should be able to complete the shot, Djokovic had already moved ahead and began to prepare for the next shot, which was the final fatal blow.
——Swivel right.
Djokovic is moving towards the right forehand position to prepare to defend the diagonal line, because he dug a trap to lure Gao Wen to continue to suppress his forehand, and because Gao Wen has been trying to break through his own forehand since the game today.
It's also because it's much easier to choose the forehand for this shot.
The situation is really not good for Gawain.
But difficulties are often opportunities to survive from desperate situations. This is also the conclusion that Gawain came to after playing against giants many times. He needs to stay calm.
In fact, the straight line of Djokovic's backhand shot was not perfect. His hitting space was still squeezed by Gawain's backhand shot. The speed of the racket head was not fully increased, and the swing movement was still a little lacking.
, so the straight line is not straightened, leaving a space of about one and a half to two steps.
This little space is Gawain's opportunity.
The spectators at the O2 Stadium should not be so forgetful. Just before this point and this round, to be precise, before hitting the ball three times, Djokovic faced a similar situation and a similar position.
At that time, Djokovic gave up the space on the diagonal line and hit the backslash line with both hands. With one tap, he opened a space in the narrow gap and suppressed Gao Wen, forcing Gao Wen to make a choice.
A forehand return with topspin creates a counterattack.
In the blink of an eye, after hitting the ball three times, the same position was changed and it came to Gawain's side again.
The layout is exactly the same.
Just now, Gao Wen focused on covering up the forehand gap; now, Djokovic also focuses on covering up the forehand gap.
In essence, situations and states are not much different.
Just now, Djokovic hit a backslash with a light backhand; now, Gawain hits a backslash with a forehand.
The same situation, the same situation, the same route, and even the tactics are the same, but the differences in details can still be seen in the shot selections of Gauvin and Djokovic.
Difficulty exists objectively.
However, Gawain is very calm.
Change from long strides to small steps, adjust continuously, adjust continuously, even slow down slightly, keep the space between yourself and the tennis ball as much as possible, and hit the ball with a skateboard, not relying on the body to exert force, but relying entirely on the swing and movement of the forearm.
Push with your wrist, power bursts out instantly——
The tennis ball and racket surface collided hard together.