First set.
Gao Wen was broken by Kokkinakis in two service games, and he only got one break point in the opponent's service game - unfortunately he was unable to cash in. Then after an overwhelming storm, before he had time to breathe, This was the first set since the spring season.
"6:2".
Of course, Gao Wen knew that his record of not losing a set would definitely not last forever, especially when switching from the NCAA to the professional arena. However, he lost his first set in half a year by losing two serve games. , which still made Gawain very dissatisfied with himself.
On the other side, Kokkinakisna stopped celebrating wantonly, hammering his chest like a diamond, spinning and jumping on the spot, making a sharp wolf howl.
Even when returning to the courtside dugout after a break, he provoked Gawain with his eyes and said meaningfully:
"I knew it."
Because the players' dugout is right under the referee's nose, if Kokkinakis swears, he is likely to be warned or even fined, so Kokkinakis is still a little calmer, but such words are too high. You can already understand the text. The complete version should be——
I knew you were bound to lose, I knew you were vulnerable, I knew you were in a terrible state.
That's probably it.
Gawain could even see the blazing anger in Kokkinakis's eyes, revealing his white teeth, wanting to bite Gawain's aorta directly.
What about Gawain?
Gawain completely ignored Kokkinakis's provocation. The best way for professional players to fight back is always to defeat their opponents on the field, and then the world will calm down.
After losing the first set, Gao Wen didn't get frustrated or give up. His brain was always running at high speed, looking for ways to deal with it.
Before today, Gao Wen had anticipated the difficulties. After all, professional competitions were still different, but the ferocity of the actual situation still exceeded expectations. The entire intensity and quality had risen by at least one or even two steps, and the rhythm of his game also Being shocked by Kokkinakis's unreasonable playing style was like being thrown into a drum washing machine.
At some point, the brain in an anaerobic state will really go blank, without any thoughts, only a body hitting the ball mechanically on the court.
Soon, Gawain realized that this was very dangerous. In a tennis match, if you give up thinking, the game will be out of your control. Whether active or passive, the game will fall into the opponent's rhythm.
It can be seen from here that his shortcomings of lack of game experience have been exposed.
Of course, in the future, he will gradually find his rhythm when facing more accidents and dealing with more situations.
Then, such a difficult game is the best learning opportunity. Not only is Gao Wen not frustrated, but he is also more focused. He puts aside winning or losing for the time being, but focuses on every point and every game, learning from the game. Grow through hardship.
There was no need to wait too long. Entering the second set, Gawain's performance improved significantly.
The first step is still based on his own serve. He must keep his serve before he has a chance to seek opportunities in Kokkinakis's serve——
Just like the National Championship final against Geelong, he is the Geelong he was then.
Gradually, Gao Wen gained a firm foothold, and the competition between points and rounds obviously rose to a higher level. However, Kokkinakis still relied on stronger comprehensive strength to gain a foothold and was always able to win at critical moments. Suppressing Gawain a little, even just a little bit, is enough.
In the first six games, both sides held serve, and the two had a total of 13 break points, but the result was that no one was able to break serve. Gawain, who was fighting against the odds, and Kokkinakis, who was imposing, were both mobilizing. state, trying to control the game.
The stalemate continued until the seventh game, and Kokkinakis, who missed two more break points, did not miss the third one. He broke Gawain's serve with an unreasonable whip-swinging violent forehand winner. Bringing the score to a "5:3" lead, he finally ushered in his own serve to win the game.
Then Gawain is truly pushed to the edge of the cliff.
Such a scene is similar to the final battle of the United States Championship in every aspect, except this time it is Gawain who is in dire straits.
At that time, facing the all-out fighting Geelong, Gao Wen stood firm with his superior performance and "love-game" won the service game to reach the top and win the championship.
Now, Gawain became the one who launched the attack. He refused to compromise or surrender, and launched a fierce attack when Kokkinakis served to win the game. However, Gawain also learned from the experience of Geelong at that time and did not fight blindly. Still maintaining patience, looking for opportunities to strike a fatal blow.
Therefore, not only did Gao Wen not let Kokkinakis get the game point and match point easily, but he also seized on Kokkinakis's psychological fluctuations of eagerness for success and grabbed three break points, balancing the game. There seems to be a subtle change.
Australian legend Rod-Laver once said this famous saying:
The most vulnerable time in a tennis match is when you are ahead.
What is the reason?
Because a tennis match is a game and confrontation between two sides, a contest on multiple levels such as physical strength, energy, and psychology. If there is a problem in any link, it is very likely that, like dominoes, problems will occur in the entire match. When you are ahead, you relax your vigilance or are eager for success, or you want to win but are afraid of losing. These mental fluctuations can often become the key to breaking the balance.
In a tennis game, there are only four points in a game. One mistake or one fluctuation may result in a game being lost, and then the game will be different.
Mr. Laver's career spans before and after the Open era. He once occupied the world No. 1 for seven consecutive years, and twice completed the feat of completing all four Grand Slams in the same year. He is still the only player to win all four Grand Slams in the same year. A man capable of such a feat.
It is precisely because of this that countless experts have always believed that Laver is the greatest men's tennis player in history, until the emergence of the Big Four.
Obviously, Mr. Laver has his own unique understanding of the tennis game.
Now, Kokkinakis seems to be facing his "most vulnerable moment". His belief in defeating and humiliating Gawain runs through the whole game, but he is shaken when he is close to victory, and then he is sharply pointed out by Gawain. Caught.
The balance is broken.
However, Kokkinakis still gritted his teeth and tried his best to fight through the 35-shot round just now, saving the third break point. The two sides returned to level points for the third time, and regained the advantage of the victory balance. Pull back slightly towards yourself.
Huchi, wheeze.
The two players adjusted their breathing and returned to the baseline, ready to compete again.
"40:40".
So, is it the fourth break point or the first match point?
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