Nine consecutive forehand shots, and all of them are not kills, but mainly control. The powerful control can be said to cover the entire court. This is Djokovic's ability.
Why didn't Djokovic directly attack to end the point?
In fact, this is not a tactic or an ability, but a character. Just like when you are nervous, you tend to hit the ball more than ten or twenty times. The same is true for Djokovic's baseline shots. The timing of "killing the ball",
As I get older, I become more and more procrastinating, and I haven't taken the initiative yet.
Of course, part of the reason is also strategy, using such tactics to completely cover the entire field and force the opponent to run exhausted.
In fact, Djokovic doesn't need this point. If he can score, it will be the best; but if he can't, it doesn't matter, because the opponent runs into anaerobic state, and the next one, two or three points will probably be lost.
If you are out of breath, Djokovic's layout will be much calmer.
After 2017, Djokovic's playing style has basically been the same, becoming more and more similar to Murray at his peak.
As for now in 2014.
Overall, Djokovic's game under Becker's coaching is relatively clean and tidy, but the master and apprentice are also in the running-in period, and some tactics are somewhat laid out. Djokovic's thinking is not very clear.
So occasionally there will be procrastination, and indecision is the main problem——
Just look at the US Open games and you will know.
At this time, it's the same again.
Djokovic had some opportunities to attack, but he thought the opportunities were not good enough, so he did not rush to attack and still controlled the situation.
As a result, the game situation becomes a bit subtle——
Djokovic is like a puppeteer, and Gawain is a marionette, moving according to Djokovic's instructions. Even if Gawain tries to resist, he still can't get rid of it.
what to do?
Gao Wen's footsteps are running wildly and his brain is running. He knows that he needs a powerful blow to reverse the situation and at least win the opportunity to attack. However, Djokovic's control is too strong. At least with Gao Wen's current ability, he cannot
Break the situation forcibly through hard power.
Brake, turn, run.
Run, brake, turn.
Once again, Djokovic used a forehand skate to maneuver the tennis ball into the large triangular area of the diagonal baseline. Gao Wen's running speed had reached the extreme, making full use of the inertial power of sprinting to throw the forehand powerfully.
One shot.
top!
In fact, Gawain's lungs were already burning, his calf muscles were trembling, and the force of his kicking on the ground was shaking a little, but now he was trapped in a vicious cycle that he couldn't stop even if he wanted to.
A quick glance showed that this time the return of the ball was good, it hit the baseline directly, and the angle was slightly changed, landing in the middle area.
There's pressure, but it's still not enough.
Djokovic hit a rebound ball with his forehand, and with a flick of his wrist, the tennis ball flew towards Gawain's backhand position again.
Gawain immediately stopped and turned, rushing towards his backhand position, and then observed the flight and spin of the tennis ball.
Chance?
In this shot, because it was a rebound ball, Djokovic's control time was compressed, so the control of the entire parabola was slightly lacking, so that the parabola was slightly higher.
Of course, if Gao Wen wants to enter the field and hit the midfield ball, it will be too late; but if Gao Wen wants to get his feet in place and launch a counterattack, there is a chance.
Kick!
deliver!
A long stride stole half the beat, Gawain's steps were in place smoothly, and he powerfully swept out the backhand with both hands, returning a diagonal shot.
This time, the angle of the diagonal line was finally torn apart.
However, the arc was still not suppressed - even if it was almost, the footwork was still a little bit off, the hitting point was a little slower, and the best opportunity to hit the ball flat was missed.
Gao Wen had no time to be upset, because his own parabola was also not suppressed. Djokovic successfully ran into position, reluctantly used a sideways forehand, and hit it hard and repeated the landing point.
Return the ball!
Gawain's footsteps continued to change direction out of habit, and finally he took a step, started again, and came back again. The soles of his feet slipped a little, which was very embarrassing.
However, it was finally a little better than the previous shot. The hitting point was barely in place, and I hit a diagonal backhand with both hands.
This time, Djokovic finally stopped using his forehand - if he used his forehand for the eleventh consecutive shot, it would be a humiliating shot choice.
Djokovic used a two-handed backhand to quickly take the shot, grabbing a rising point, deliberately disrupting the rhythm, increasing the rhythm of the return, and compressing Gawain's breathing space.
slash.
Continuing to repeat the placement, this is already the third consecutive shot in which Gawain has chosen the backhand position.
Caught!
Gao Wen's eyes lit up. This time, his steps did not continue to move laterally. Instead, he stayed light and stayed where he was, catching Djokovic's return kick.
Tennis, delivered to your door!
Kick off the ground! Stand firm! Curl your toes and grab the ground with all your strength.
Lead the shot! Turn! The entire lead-in action is advanced, taking up less than half a beat of the rhythm.
Djokovic is fast, but Gawain is not satisfied either.
Use quick to make quick!
The most important thing is that just when he was about to hit the ball, he took a step forward.
When Djokovic saw this move by Gawain, alarm bells went off, because this was Gawain's iconic backhand rising shot.
Every time, Gao Wen would take a step forward to grab the ball, and rely on the stability of his backhand with both hands to complete the change of line. At the US Open, this was Gao Wen's signature weapon.
straight line?
Djokovic's footsteps immediately moved towards his forehand position.
Gawain remained unmoved, receiving no interference from Djokovic's movement at all. He hit the ball very firmly and completed it in one go——
Break the situation! He must break the balance from a tactical level!
Explode! Push!
straight line.
It's indeed a straight line.
The tennis ball was like a bullet, crossing the entire court, and the hunting wind swept the entire court.
Out of the blue!
Djokovic was completely in control of the entire court, and he always had the upper hand in a tug-of-war that lasted more than 20 shots. Gawain was completely embarrassed and passively defended.
Like a cat playing with a mouse.
But Gawain seized a gap and made an accurate judgment to turn the ball back. Without hesitation, he directly switched from defense to offense, and his decisive temperament instantly broke the balance.
Kick, kick, kick!
Djokovic was running at full speed, his speed had been increased to the extreme, but it was too late. After all, it was still too late.
Gawain's hitting turned into a ray of light and shadow, and straight lines jumped out along the sideline, leaving only the crisp sound of hitting the ball echoing in the air.
"7:6, Gawain leads."
The referee's voice has already been heard. Even though Djokovic is still running, the tennis ball has already formed two jumps, and the point is over.
Overtaken!
Taking stock, it appeared!
Huchihuchi.
Gawain is panting.
Huchihuchi.
Djokovic is also taking a breather.
The tug-of-war lasted for twenty-four shots, and both players were exhausted. At this time, Gao Wen did not celebrate, but only clenched his fists heavily to cheer himself up.
Djokovic turned his head and glanced at Gao Wen, but he didn't see any frustration——
Djokovic was not trying to score this point in the first place, so he was not angry at the loss. Looking at Gawain who was panting like an ox, he knew that the exhaustion could be imagined.
In fact, compared to Gawain, Djokovic, who has always been in control of the initiative, has a leisurely attitude and seems not to be greatly affected.