Although the combination of Nadal and Gauvin unfortunately missed the opportunity to compete with the top seeds, there is no doubt that the competition is difficult. Both players are still adjusting their best condition and game feeling, and have experienced a lot of stabbings.
Hard fight:
"2:6", "6:3".
In the first two sets, both sides played a set, and the score was a "1:1" draw. According to the rules, the final set will be entered, but there will not be another complete game, but directly enter the tiebreaker -
—
The rules are the same as the tie-break, except that the first team to score ten points wins.
"10:6".
The combination of Nadal and Gauvin performed well in the ten-mile tie, leading all the way, winning another game and advancing to the third round.
The game was over, and Gawain had no time to celebrate and relax.
Non-Grand Slam tournaments, from the Masters to the 250 points tournament, are all the same. The schedule is only one week. If you sign up for singles and doubles at the same time, it means you have to face the test of double matches on one day.
As the organizer, they will try their best to stagger the two games of those players who play double matches in one day, hoping that the players can get more time to breathe and recover; but the schedule is the schedule, and sometimes it can be staggered, and sometimes it cannot.
In the final analysis, a double match in one day is a severe test in itself.
Regardless of physical strength or energy, this is a challenge on another level.
Moreover, there is one very important point.
All women's matches are best-of-three sets, the same for Grand Slams and tour events; men's matches are different. Grand Slams are still best-of-five sets, and the gap in challenge standards is obvious.
It is precisely because of this that there are not a few female players who participate in both singles and doubles competitions, and there are even many who win the Grand Slam championships in both singles and doubles at the same time.
But for male players, most of them are at the 500-point and 250-point level. Once they reach the Masters level, the numbers drop significantly, and they are almost invisible in the Grand Slams.
Last time in the Imperial City, the partnership of Gao Wen and Tim lost in the second round, and the impact on the singles was very limited——
Of course, the two men's singles advancement did not last long.
This time in Doha, the doubles match between Gauvin and Nadal has advanced to the third round. At the same time, the second round of the singles match has also begun. A double match in one day is inevitable.
Therefore, after winning the doubles, Gao Wen returned to the locker room. After a brief rinse, he immediately returned to the training ground to conduct recovery training to prepare for the upcoming singles match.
"Gawain..."
In the locker room, Nadal called to Gawain who was about to leave in a hurry. His eyes were very sincere, but he spoke directly without beating around the bush.
"If necessary, we can withdraw from the doubles match. I can understand it, 100%. You don't have to worry about hurting my thoughts."
Sincere, sincere.
They all know clearly how severe the challenge is of balancing singles and doubles; in the final analysis, they are all singles players, and challenging doubles is also preparation for singles. Naturally, it is not uncommon to give up doubles in order to ensure singles competition. It is not uncommon on the tour.
But the question is, how should you inform your doubles partner?
Especially when one of the players is making great progress in singles, while the other player's singles game is over and they can only hope for a doubles game.
In the tour, there are countless golden doubles partners who parted ways due to such circumstances.
Yesterday, in the first round of singles, Nadal suffered an upset loss to a qualifying player.
Although Nadal easily won the first set "6:1", it can still be clearly seen that the impact of long-term sparse battles and initial recovery from serious illness is everywhere. The quality of subsequent games declined significantly, and he was defeated by his opponent in two consecutive sets and singles.
A round trip.
The dream of "Djokovic vs. Nadal" was shattered.
Neither Nadal nor Gauvin expected that they would win again in the second round of doubles and continue to advance, so the problem of advancing on both sides was right in front of them.
That's why Nadal said this.
Gawain did not exchange polite greetings, nor did he make excuses. Instead, he showed a smile to Nadal and said sincerely.
"Okay, if necessary, I will say it directly."
Honest, calm, cautious and sincere.
Gawain's response made Nadal show a big smile and pat Gawain on the shoulder.
"If the game goes well, I won't cheer for you, otherwise Fernando will be sad."
In private, Nadal occasionally makes harmless jokes——
Fernando Verdasco was Gao Wen's opponent in the second round of singles.
In the past two years, Verdasco's competitive status has been unstable. The impact of wrist injuries is on the one hand, and his increasing age is on the other. In any case, he will be 32 years old after the start of the year.
, indeed need to face more challenges.
Despite this, Verdasco still maintains good competitiveness. It is currently ranked 33rd in the world and cannot be underestimated.
In this game, double faults were still the main problem that troubled Gawain. He made three double faults in his first two service games, and he was really struggling.
But it can be seen that Gao Wen maintains his attention very well and is always focused on the game. No matter whether he scores or loses, his brain is running at high speed.
On the other hand, Verdasco's side, faced with Gauvin's flexible play style, tried hard to exert pressure through tough forehand attacks. However, at the beginning of the season, his touch was mediocre and his mistakes were high, which also made the bottom line of both sides difficult.
There was never a stalemate in the round, and the content of the game was very fragmented.
"6:2", "6:3".
Gao Wen easily defeated his opponent in straight sets and advanced to the third round of singles with high head. The two-front battle once again played a triumphant song.
Looking at the entire game, two sets of data are very interesting.
Gao Wen once again sent eight double faults and still remained high. Due to the chaos in the serving process, he sent ten break points; but the key is that all the break points were saved and there was no break in the game. Verdasco
The break success rate was zero, and the distance between the two sides was widened.
The comparison of the two sets of data directly demonstrates Gao Wen's ability to handle key points, especially the fact that double faults did not appear at the break point.
No matter what, the most important thing is to win again, which also means that he can spend more time on the court.
Immediately afterwards, on the third match day, the highlight of Doha finally came on stage——
In the bustling center court, long queues can be seen early in the game. It is really rare for the first match of an all-day match to trigger such excitement.
According to common sense, the bigger and more important the matches are, the later they are played. All matches are arranged in this way; and the first match of the day is usually a bit deserted.
However, it was different today. Spectators arrived at the stadium happily one by one and lined up to enter with great expectations. Could it be a game for local players?
it's not true.
If you look at the schedule, the answer will come to light——
In the third round of the doubles, a match for the semi-finals, and the two sides are: