Gawain's concentration was highly concentrated, and this game was obviously different from any other game.
On the one hand it's the feeling from a Grand Slam.
The entire Arthur Ashe Stadium has a completely different sense of space, and even the feel of hitting the ball and the pace of movement need to be adjusted, especially since the attendance rate of the stadium is not high today, and it seems that less than one-fifth of the seats are occupied.
It makes the stadium feel more spacious, and even the sound of hitting the ball is different.
Everything is new and unfamiliar to Gawain, and he needs time to adapt.
On the one hand, there is pressure from Isner.
The pace of Isner's entire game is quite fast. Not only does the ACE ball come over and end the battle, but the connection between points is also very fast. His whole body reveals a kind of ease and ease, which is also
The game process is always running at high speed, just like being thrown into a dryer.
It didn't leave Gawain much room to breathe and adjust.
Since the start of the game, there haven't been many shots in the round.
The biggest difference from usual is that Gao Wen needs to spend time adapting to the venue and atmosphere, so that he does not have time to test Isner's serve. His lack of experience allows Gao Wen to passively get involved in Isner's serve.
In the rhythm of the game.
Gawain strategically focused more energy on his serve——
Keep in mind that facing Isner, if you lose a serve, you may lose a set. Only by keeping your serve can you create more possibilities.
Similarly, Isner's game strategy has always been to steadily consolidate his serve. As for his opponent's serve, he tries to extend the serve for some rounds to see if he can find an opportunity.
If he can't find one, he won't change his tactics and look for other possibilities. Anyway, he just needs to keep his serve and enter the tie-break.
Isner's game never lacks tie-breaks, this is his style of play.
Because of this, the game so far has been uneventful, and neither player has been able to find any opportunities in the opponent's serve.
During the break just now, Gawain calmed down and thought about it seriously. He realized that he was still too conservative——
Originally, he was the challenger who initiated the attack. If he did not take the initiative to break the balance, then the two sides would maintain the serve in a satisfactory manner and then enter the tie-break. By then, Isner's experience and strength would easily have the upper hand.
Just look at Isner's stroll and you will know that he is very satisfied with the progress of the game.
Moreover, so far from the beginning, his own playing style has not been shown at all.
Although he held all three serve games, his hitting was quite satisfactory. In addition, Isner did not insist on insisting, and the ball did not become stalemate in the round, so he held the ball in an orderly manner. He changed the line and made adjustments.
All the patterns are gone.
If this continues, he will definitely have no chance.
If he wants to defeat Isner, he should at least form a confrontation. He should try to disrupt Isner's rhythm, pursue the initiative in the back and forth, and break Isner's hitting comfort zone.
It would force Isner to become confused as well.
Stand on tiptoes, bend your knees, kick on the ground, jump.
Gawain watched Isner's serving action with all his attention, his knees lightly jumping in place like springs, keeping his center of gravity active.
Then you can see Isner——
Throw the ball, kick the ball, turn, hit the ball.
With a height of 208 centimeters, Isner has an innate advantage in serving, so his knee-bending movements have always been incomplete, and it is difficult for him to squat down when hitting the ball.
But compared to Karlovic, who is 211 centimeters tall, Isner's center of gravity control is actually excellent.
boom!
Outside corner!
Gawain's knees suddenly straightened, and the strength of his calves pushed his body to rush out laterally, and his arms and upper body were fully stretched.
The judgment is correct!
However, it’s still too late!
The speed is 132 miles per hour - the US Open still uses imperial units, which is 211 kilometers per hour after conversion. Judging from Isner's appearance, it seems that he doesn't put much effort at all, and can easily send a serve with a speed of more than 200 kilometers per hour.
Even if Gawain's judgment is correct, as long as he hesitates for a moment, he may miss it. Either he will miss the hitting point and directly hit the ball, or he will simply miss the ball and cause an ACE ball.
"15:0".
Gawain stepped lightly twice. If he started and moved a little faster, he should be able to hit.
Then, ACE, 130 mph.
"30:0".
Then, the serve was straight, reaching a speed of 135 miles per hour.
"40:0".
In the blink of an eye, with just three serves, Isner still got three consecutive game points, relying entirely on serve to resolve the battle, with no intention of forming a round ball for Gawain.
Moreover, look at the combination of serve speed and landing angle, which is stable and strong. This is Isner's ability - when he is in the best condition, he can maintain this state for the entire set and two consecutive sets.
It's simply a ball-serving machine.
Maintaining an efficient, high-energy, and high-strength serving state throughout the whole process really makes people feel powerless.
call……
Gawain breathed out gently, indicating that he should be calm and calm——
Since the statistics of ACE ball records began in 1991, until 2021, the Croatian player Karlovic has the most ACE ball data in his career, with a total of 13,709.
The second-ranked player is Isner, with 13,004 ACEs.
Behind them are Federer, Feliciano-Lopez, and Querrey. The top four have all exceeded 10,000 ACEs in their careers.
In other words, Isner is one of the best servers in history, and may even be the best in history.
So, he needs to stay calm——
Although we all understand the truth, it still feels a little different standing on Arthur Ashe Stadium. It is inevitable to want to perform better. However, if you can't even catch the serve, how can you perform? If Isner every
The serve game is like this, and there is no chance to even touch the ball, so what should I do?
Unconsciously, I felt slightly impatient.
And it’s not just Gawain?
The two commentators in the live broadcast room were also anxious, but they still tried their best to calm down and maintain an objective stance.
"...This is Isner. He has such an ability. He won four aces in one game in just one minute without giving his opponent any chance. Gao Wen needs to learn to accept this fact and then focus on
In your own serving game, patiently look for opportunities."
"Yes, Gao Wen needs to stay focused. Isner's serve is indeed very good and powerful, but it is not without solutions. He should learn from the games of Djokovic or Murray and be patient and focused.
It’s an opportunity to set the whole game up.”
Both commentators tried to provide advice for Gawain, but facing a serving machine like Isner, patience is indeed the only rule and there is no other way.
The question is, Gao Wen is so young and is playing in a Grand Slam for the first time. Can he remain patient and focused?