Considering that the match between Kei Nishikori and Ferrer had just ended, Kei Nishikori didn't arrive at the center court until the end of the game, which is understandable.
But unfortunately, Kei Nishikori also missed the highlight of this game.
It can be seen that after losing to Djokovic in the US Open and the Imperial Capital, Murray also re-examined his game and made adjustments.
The key is that these two players have been practicing and playing together since they were teenagers. They know each other too well and their overall styles are too close. Even if they change, it is difficult to completely subvert them. Calculation and counter-calculation, change and counter-change are what they are.
The theme runs throughout the competition.
Therefore, the first set of the game was absolutely thrilling, with breaks and counter-breaks, suppression and counter-suppression always intertwined and colliding.
Both sides created opportunities, but both missed them. Some of the goals were magic goals that made the whole audience scream, and some were ridiculous mistakes——
Judging from one ball alone, this is a mistake, and there is no doubt that it is a mistake; but professional players can know that some mistakes are a change in the atmosphere of the game.
It is precisely because of the anxiety and intensity of the confrontation between the two sides that the nerves in the brain continue to remain tense, and the layers of huge pressure are enough to be suffocating, so that some simple shots may also cause simple mistakes, or they may become more urgent to form.
A low-level error occurred as a result of the suppression.
At certain moments in certain games, mistakes can also be seen as a profile of the stalemate in the game.
The most incredible thing is that both players had set points, but both players also missed them, and the fight continued until a "5:5" draw.
Just when everyone thought the first set would go into a tie-break, Djokovic grabbed the fourth set point at the end of the set:
"7:5".
By breaking serve, he won the first set.
The first set alone lasted 71 minutes, which was almost equivalent to the entire match between Gauvin and Anderson. The air in the entire center court was on fire.
There is no doubt that this should be one of the best games in this year's Paris Masters.
Moreover, Murray showed his continued recovery.
It can be seen from the break point data that Murray got two break points and successfully broke once; Djokovic got nine break points and successfully broke twice.
The number of break points shows that in terms of overall strength, Djokovic has the upper hand. Murray sent a lot of break points, but he still has not restored his 100% level.
The success rate of redeeming break points shows that Murray and Djokovic are indeed comparable in terms of key score performance. Murray's instant burst of energy can already show some of the elegance of his peak period, whether it is to redeem break points.
This is true even when it comes to saving break points.
However, the second set was disappointing.
Murray, collapsed.
There are many reasons:
On the one hand, it can be seen that he did not fully recover. He could only maintain his peak state for one set, and then he could no longer sustain it. His overall performance level dropped very obviously in the second set.
On the other hand, the Asian season and the European indoor season require full attendance, and the physical and mental consumption is already intense. Top-level competitions also require countless energy consumption, and are a double test both physically and mentally.
Therefore, entering the second set, it was obvious that I could not keep up.
"6:2".
Djokovic broke serve twice and quickly opened up the score without giving up any break points, easily winning the game.
The first set and the second set were completely different. Murray's performance was completely different. There is still a long way to go to recover after recovering from injury.
If Kei Nishikori wants to examine Djokovic's condition, then the second set has no reference value.
Despite this, Murray still maintained his lead and secured a seat in London by virtue of his performance in the quarter-finals of the Paris Masters.
So far, all the semi-finalists of the Paris Masters have been announced.
The first half, "Djokovic VS Kei Nishikori".
The second half, "Raonic VS Gao Wen".
Such a duel is a bit interesting.
Looking back on the entire 2014 season, Raonic and Gao Wen are undoubtedly the representatives of the two young storms——
Raonic is the leader of the "post-90s" generation. He was the first to break into the top ten in the world, the second to break into the semi-finals of a Grand Slam, and the first to reach the year-end finals stage. Everything can be seen.
This young player's strong emergence has undoubtedly carried the banner of the new generation.
Gawain is slightly different. If Raonic stepped onto the stage step by step, then Gawain was born out of nowhere, a US Open championship trophy, breaking so much history, creating so many miracles, and spreading word of mouth, precisely because
His feat added a touch of magic to this turbulent season.
Among the players born in the 1990s, Janowitz, Dimitrov, Thiem, etc. are all worthy of attention, but Raonic and Gao Wen both stand out and have become a hot topic. The former
They have been famous for a long time, and the latter is shocking. So, who is the leading figure at the moment?
It is worth mentioning that among this group of young players, they have not played against each other many times, and they have not met as frequently as the Big Four.
This also means that young players have not yet fully matured, and the opportunities to meet in major events are still too few. As they grow in an all-round way, the number of encounters should gradually increase.
So far, Raonic has only played against Dimitrov, winning one and losing two, including a four-set defeat at the Australian Open at the beginning of this year.
But Gawain is all blank.
Just like Djokovic and Murray, players from the same era and the same batch, if they can reach the top together, then the number of encounters will continue to accumulate. Perhaps, in this year's Paris Masters, Gao Wen and
Raonic's first meeting has such historical significance?
All kinds of things, this also gave the first semi-final of the Paris Masters more meaning. To a certain extent, the discussion was more heated than the other semi-final, even though Djokovic's game was postponed
It was the second game, but the attendance rate for this game was still very impressive.
Even Gao Wen and Raonic themselves are full of expectations.
It feels a little special and a little novel.
Off the court, they are friends.
On the court, they are rivals.
When the game is over, only one person can have the last laugh, which also means that someone is destined to taste the bitterness of defeat.
However, showing your current best form without reservation, going all out, burning out, sparing no effort, and finishing the game with the best fight is the greatest respect and highest praise for each other. At the same time,
It is also the best interpretation of fair play.
Gawain knows this, and so does Raonic.
What's more, this is a duel to compete for a seat in the finals, a competition leading to the finals, and everyone should strive for it with all their strength.