The fourth set was slightly uneven, but in the end it was still not possible to break the pattern.
Indeed, Isner has indeed become more proactive. With a big score behind, he has no way out and attacking with all his strength is the only option.
Especially in Gauvin's serve, Isner realized that he needed to do something - since he could break Gauvin's serve in the second set, why couldn't he replicate it in the fourth set?
However, Isner is not a player with rich and changeable tactics. From serving to hitting, he mainly focuses on flat hitting. The arrangement and combination of return routes have occasional highlights but are relatively stable overall. Therefore, Isner’s
"Change" means exerting force -
Try to hit the flat ball faster and flatter, increase the speed and power, and create suppression.
However, because Isner's movement speed is not fast, the connection speed between this attack and the next attack has not increased, which also means that the batting rhythm is still stable; moreover, there are few changes in the line combination.
Such "changes" really don't work for Gawain.
do you remember?
In the U.S. championship game in Athens, the game where Gawain gave Kerbert a double yolk?
To deal with powerful cannon players, Gao Wen does have his own method:
Changes in rotation, changes in rhythm, and changes in lines are always creating interference and destroying the opponent's rhythm, and then looking for gaps, through the arrangement and combination of return lines that break the expected routine, in the opponent's turbulent attack
Use your own power to create opportunities to subvert the situation.
Isner is changing, and so is Gawain.
Of course, Isner's batting quality, return power and continuous attack ability are all far better than Kerbert's, and his ability to defend one more shot is also better. Therefore, he still creates for Gawain.
He overcame many difficulties and contributed many beautiful attacks in this set.
Thunderous applause.
However, Gawain's continuously running brain is always able to complete the layout first, and always makes Isner passive, especially when it comes to spins.
In the first three games, overall, Gao Wen still focused on flat shots, with not many changes in spin. Occasionally, he interspersed some topspin or backspin shots, but most of the time it was still passive cutting, and the main tactics were still
Breakthrough from Isner's forehand through a combination of hitting lines.
In the fourth game, Gawain's proactive changes gradually increased, and the entire tactics became lighter and more changeable. The changes often preceded Isner's, effectively curbing Isner's forceful use of fighting tactics.
, the elusive backspin and side spin repeatedly caught Isner off guard.
Calculation and counter-calculation, a game is going on.
In fact, objectively speaking, in the fourth set, because the physical strength of Gawain and Isner fluctuated significantly, the hot weather brought severe tests, and the quality of both sides' batting declined, which inevitably affected the excitement of the game.
However, instead of the "strength VS strength" battle method, we see more confrontations at the technical and tactical levels, and the content of the game is equally rich and exciting; moreover, Gawain's maturity at the tactical level is gradually highlighted, which is once again eye-catching.
Bright.
It is precisely because of this that Isner's ability on the serving end is also fully demonstrated.
Looking at the entire fourth set, Isner's number of ACEs and first-serve success rate all dropped significantly, and the looseness of the serve was very obvious. However, Isner was still able to ensure the quality of his first serve to suppress it, and in the most critical moment
Find the ACE touch at the critical moment and save the situation.
Strong serving strength is indeed an unsolvable problem.
When Isner was leading at "5:4" and "6:5", Gao Wen withstood the pressure twice in a row to secure serve, extending the stalemate all the way, and then...
"6:6".
The fourth set will once again enter a tie-break. The outcome of the fourth set will be determined by a gambling-style tie-break. Arthur Ashe Stadium has become a volcano.
"Come on, John..."
"John, come on! Come on!"
"Ho ho ho! Ooooo! Ouch!"
The spectators in the stadium made all kinds of strange noises and were extremely noisy. If you look around, you can see that almost one-third of the spectator stands at Arthur Ashe Stadium are already full, which is in sharp contrast to the sparse crowd at the opening.
It seems that everyone knows that the game at Arthur Ashe Stadium is extremely close. The biggest hope among American players this year is facing a serious challenge, and then one or two people gather together and slowly fill the stadium stands.
Then, at this moment, the home field advantage is very obvious.
Almost the entire audience is cheering for Isner, and now there is no time to cheer for the opponent. Whether they want to see Isner win and advance, or they want this exciting duel to enter a five-set battle, the audience is
You have to cheer for Isner.
The referee had to reiterate "please, the players are ready" three times before reluctantly letting the party-loving New Yorkers calm down a little.
In the tie-break, Isner took the lead in serving.
Ace ball kicks off.
boom!
In an instant, the entire audience burst into cheers, even drowning out the referee's voice. Everyone stood behind Isner and used their utmost enthusiasm to motivate Isner.
.
Not only the two players standing on the court, but also Jiang Yanyun and Gao Hongli in the players' box could deeply feel the heat wave. Their hearts were almost unable to bear the powerful energy and exploded, and they couldn't help but feel the heat all over their bodies.
My muscles became tense and I even forgot to breathe.
Then, Gawain, who was standing on the court, was completely immersed in himself, completely forgetful and unmoved at all——
ACE, isn't this Isner's fundamentalism? Why should we be surprised? Why should we be shaken?
Gawain still proceeds at his own pace——
A straight forehand score, a backhand chip caused Isner to hit the net, and Gawain's two service points were safely collected.
In the blink of an eye, the score has reached "3:3". The first six points were all served points. If you were a little confused, you would have thought it was a copy and paste of the third set, at least in terms of the score, but that's the case.
Emotions and states are completely different:
Because the possibility of match point is getting closer and closer, subtle changes in the mood of both sides will inevitably occur.
So, will Isner "allow" Gawain to get the match point?
Three points, and three points. Sometimes, three points is just a short moment; but sometimes, three points is like a chasm that can never be crossed.
After the exchange of venues was completed, Gawain served.
ACE!
"At 4:3, Gao Wen sent his second ACE ball in the fourth set. It was a very precious and important ACE. In this way, the two sides still maintained a balance of power. Gao Wen once again put the pressure on Isner to test
It's Isner's time to serve."
"There are two points left before the match point appears; there are still three points left before history is made."
Even just imagining it, my voice could not help but tremble slightly.