When the game time finally exceeded four hours, this historic Asian showdown also entered the end of the fourth set, and the bayonet battle continued.
The entire game process was ups and downs, tense and exciting.
After taking the lead to win the first set, Gao Wen once again improved his condition at the end of the second set, copying the trend of the last three games of the first set, holding serve, breaking serve, holding serve, and then successfully led the big score.
By "2:0", the Arthur Ashe Stadium was completely boiling. Is it possible that the dark horse will stay in the dark forever?
This was also the first time that Gao Wen had a big "2:0" lead since the US Open this year; however, the tenth seed, who was fighting against the odds, launched a strong counterattack in the third set.
Kei Nishikori, who was the first to serve, broke Gawain's serve twice. Unfortunately, he was unable to defend his subsequent serve twice, and was never able to realize his break advantage and open up the score.
The two players remained in a stalemate until the end of the game.
Nishikori Kei seized the opportunity of Gawain's physical fluctuations, improved his condition, broke Gawain's second serve that he had to hold, and broke serve for the third time in the third set, and this time he directly won the entire set.
Take it back under your command and win the game.
Looking at the first three sets, the scores were actually very close. In terms of total points, Gawain won by four points in the first set, Gawain won by two points in the second set, and Kei Nishikori won by three points in the third set.
In other words, the outcome of each set depends on the performance of key points. Whoever can show his best form at the critical moment will win that set.
Entering the fourth set, it was the same.
Both players had obvious physical fluctuations, and the difficulties they faced in the serving game also increased, making it easier to break serve. Both Gawain and Kei Nishikori broke the opponent's serve in two games, and then the score could not be determined.
Pulled away, the situation was stalemate again until the final stage of the fourth set.
Once again, with the game score "5:6" behind, Gawain faced the inevitable serve, and Nishikori Kei once again launched a fierce attack——
Start attacking from the reception phase, and whether it is the first serve or the second serve, you have to risk making mistakes. Especially now that Kei Nishikori has a great touch, he can hit many amazing shots just by grabbing the serve.
As for Gao Wen, he was very passive and then gave up a break point at "30:40".
"Ah! Ahhh!"
Facing the first break point and set point, Gawain used a strong side-spinning close-in serve to suppress Nishikori Kei's position, and scored directly with the serve to save the break point, and the two sides returned to an even score.
Gao Wen clenched his fists to cheer himself up. The more critical the moment, the more he needs to be at his best! The fourth set is not over yet, and he is not ready to give up the victory in the fourth set.
But then——
"Well done!"
Kei Nishikori did not scream, but clenched his fists and waved them at his side several times to encourage himself, because he once again grabbed Gawain's second serve, and forced Gawain to return with a fierce attack that grabbed the rising point.
The ball came out shallow, and then aimed at the opportunity of Gawain standing behind, Nishikori Kei very suddenly released a small ball in front of the net, using a combination of long and short methods to prevent Gawain from following up, and Nishikori Kei scored.
The second break point doubles as a takedown.
Just like this, the beginning and end of every previous set were the same. Both players were gritting their teeth and trying their best. Every point was crucial, and everyone had a chance.
"40:AD".
call……
Although faced with a break point and a count again, Gao Wen was very calm. After taking a long breath, he started to shoot the ball, and his brain started to work at high speed.
How should I choose to serve?
Pah. Pah. Pah.
Gawain had already started throwing the ball, and the mustard-yellow tennis ball sank into the deep orange sunset that filled the sky, and then his whole body was thrown out as hard as a spring.
boom.
Close to the body and lean on the backhand, external rotation.
Kei Nishikori was fully focused and moved his feet immediately, but when he saw the landing point of the tennis ball, he immediately realized:
trap!
Gawain served a shallow ball.
What's the meaning?
The service area can be divided into six areas as a whole. The upper half near the net is called the shallow area, the lower half near the service baseline is called the deep area, then the side near the sideline is the outer corner, and the middle area is
Middle road (close body), the side close to the midline is the inside corner.
Generally speaking, the serve is often placed in the deep area, because the shallow area is close to the net, and if the control is not correct, it will go directly to the net, and the requirements for the parabola are very high; in addition, the hard court mainly uses flat shots to serve, and the entire parabola
The pressure is very flat, and you definitely need to aim at the deep area to serve the ball into the area.
However, very occasionally, players will specialize in super topspin, control the tennis ball in a shallow area, and then use the spin after landing to tear out large angles, especially the outside corners.
This time, Gao Wen aimed at the shallow area, but the target was in the middle.
The speed of the ball is not very fast, but the rebound after landing is very high, and the top spin is completely sufficient. It is obvious that Gawain is increasing the spin of the first serve and then controlling the landing point to limit Kei Nishikori from grabbing the first serve and the second serve in this game.
The sound momentum is strong, especially Kei Nishikori's hand is now very good, and the success rate of grabbing the serve is very high, which also makes Gawain very passive.
Now, Gawain has made a change.
Kei Nishikori immediately realized that something was wrong, but at this time it was too late to step forward and grab the ascending point. He was forced to retreat because Gawain's top spin was very full, and Kei Nishikori had no time to grab the ascending point.
The rebound had already exceeded the knee position before the point, so if Kei Nishikori wanted to hit the tennis ball, retreating was the only way.
ah.
Nishikori Kei's footsteps were still unwilling to retreat completely and lose his defensive position, so when his hands touched the ball, his body's center of gravity was still pushed back by the strong rotation of the tennis ball, so that the arc control of the return ball was slightly insufficient -
—
The pressure is not deep enough, and the arc is slightly higher.
Oops!
Kei Nishikori immediately discovered that Gawain had entered the baseline and approached the midfield.
Tap tap tap.
Nishikori Kei's first reaction was to sprint towards his forehand, because there was no time to hesitate at this time. The entire field was full of gaps, and he had to take a gamble, so he chose to open up the entire field for his forehand.
, sprinting at full speed.
However!
Gao Mingming knew he could volley the ball, but he deliberately adjusted his position in small steps. While waiting for the tennis ball to land, he also waited for Kei Nishikori to start his defense, and then made a very light and simple backslash with his forehand.
The tennis ball fell into the space behind Nishikori Kei's backhand.
"Split it evenly!"
ah!
Gawain clenched his fist heavily, stared at Kei Nishikori without giving in, showed his determination without giving in, and saved the second break point and count in such a crisp and neat way——
At the critical moment, show your courage and courage with a big heart!
Although Kei Nishikori's performance was like a miracle, Gawain's performance did not give in. They started a head-on confrontation with toughness. The two sides were still evenly matched. In the twelfth game of the fourth set, the two players faced off for the second time.