Snapped!
After finishing the ultra-difficult backhand shot, Gao Wen immediately adjusted his body's center of gravity in small steps, but on the surface he did not return to defend in time, but stood on his backhand position to adjust.
This is a fake move.
The match between the two sides has entered the final set. In fact, the back-and-forth calculations have basically eliminated all the pressure. There are no secrets at the technical and tactical level. Gao Wen knows that Borelli is used to hitting gaps, and Borelli also knows that Gao Wen knows that Borelli is used to hitting gaps. Wen knew that he was used to hitting gaps, so the two of them were plotting against each other.
If Gauvin immediately returns to defend in the middle, then Borrelli may change the batting route if he has a choice. After all, Gauvin's return of serve just now did not create enough pressure. As for the external spin against Burleigh, Lee doesn't work, it just suppresses his swing time.
In the tie-break of the second set, in a similar situation, Gao Wen returned to the center in advance to prepare for defense. As a result, Borrelli's forehand, which was about to hit the diagonal, unexpectedly released a small ball, completely deceiving Gao Wen. Due to Wen's judgment, Gawain was half a beat too slow to start. Naturally, he was unable to catch up.
Then, this point gave Borrelli the second set point. As a result, Borrelli won the second set smoothly, leading by a big score of "2:0".
At that time, everyone was marveling at Borrelli's divine help. He really performed very well in the first two sets today, and his rich experience in the tour for many years completely suppressed Gawain.
Especially after Gao Wen's upset victory in the first round, Borrelli must have been more vigilant, and his focus on the game was completely different. He hardly gave Gao Wen many opportunities in the first two sets.
In the first set, Gawain's serve was broken at the end of the set and he won 7:5.
In the second set, the tie-break was a wonderful performance, and finally won "10:8" - Gao Wen also missed a set point, which once again proved that the tie-break was a gamble.
Objectively speaking, Gao Wen played well in the first two sets and still showed his best level. He only lost one serve game in total; but at the critical moment, Borrelli's sophistication and experience still had the upper hand, which was ultimately reflected in the score. On the other hand, he was far ahead with two sets in hand.
Borrelli's performance is indeed worthy of winning two sets. His lightness and changeability at the tactical level are not necessarily better than Gao Wen's, but his timing is more sophisticated than Gao Wen's. This is also the first time in Gao Wen's career. Encountering such an opponent once——
Interpret the game patiently like yourself, and control the game by adjusting tactical details.
Although Borrelli is not strong, his rich experience did allow Gao Wen to see the different game textures in the Grand Slam arena.
Almost everyone believed that Gao Wen's dark horse was not good enough, and Borrelli might easily win in three sets and refresh his personal best result at the US Open, but Gao Wen did not give up easily.
The difficulty of the game is indeed beyond imagination. Even if you are fully prepared, if your opponent performs exceptionally, the only thing you can do is to be patient; what's more, judging from the performance of the first two sets, Gao Wen and Bo Leili should be evenly matched. It's just that Borrelli is more mature at critical moments.
Even if you fight with all your strength, you may not be able to win. This is the case in competitive sports. Sometimes the day belongs to your opponent; but if you give up fighting, you will definitely not win.
Gawain will never give up the fight.
In the third set, the game was still a deadlock. Gao Wen also broke Burelli's serve that had to be saved at the end of the set. When he broke serve for the first time in the match, he also regained the set with a score of "6:4". The course of the game was very similar to the first set, except that Borrelli lost his chain a little earlier.
At this time, the foreshadowing had been laid. Borrelli reached a physical limit, and his condition and feel declined. When he failed to win the third set in one go, he couldn't keep up with the rhythm in the fourth set.
Borrelli, who was at the bottom of his form, could not keep up with Gao Wen's rhythm in the fourth set. Although Gao Wen also experienced the extreme physical strength, the young man's endurance and perseverance to grit his teeth and persevere were still stronger.
As a result, Gao Wen broke Borrelli's serve in two consecutive games, showing a huge advantage. He won the fourth set with a score of "6:3" and successfully tied most of the points.
Then, the deciding set came.
Borrelli, who served first in the deciding set, has recovered and after holding two consecutive service games, the two sides are still tied. However, in Borrelli's third serve, Gao Wen seized the opportunity of Borrelli's second consecutive serve. He took the lead and got two break points with a score of "15:40" in the blink of an eye.
At the break point, Borrelli continued his outstanding performance today. Not only did he hit the target with his first serve, but his attacks were also very closely connected, immediately putting Gao Wen in continuous trouble.
But Gawain will never surrender without mercy——
Learning ability is his advantage.
He still firmly remembered the point that gave away the set point in the second set, so he did not move offensively, but waited for Borrelli to make a swing judgment before moving his feet.
Although he delayed it for half a beat and used a fake move to dodge Borrelli, Gawain's center of gravity was ready and he quickly sent his body out with a kick of his right leg.
Kick, kick, kick!
Kick, kick, kick!
Gao Wen moved sideways with long strides, very quickly. After passing the extreme limit of physical strength, he returned to form in the fifth set. From here, we can see the effect of the special training before the US Open. The entire endurance and explosive power have been improved. The entire Moving at lightning speed, it was already approaching quickly.
but!
The smart thing about Borrelli is that besides changing the line, he also controls the landing point very well. He does not aim and hit the ball towards the dead corner of the baseline, which is not only easy to go out of bounds, but also can be easily caught by Gao Wen. He started attacking directly, so Borrelli shortened the return line a little.
The landing point is in the midfield area.
This also forces Gawain not to simply move horizontally, but to move diagonally. Both horizontal and vertical movements are necessary.
Kick, kick, kick!
Gawain could feel his lungs burning, but he was focused, watching Borrelli's position and the spin of the tennis ball.
So how should he return the ball this time?
Obviously, Borrelli was also "shaking" Gawain, moving slowly and leisurely towards the middle, but his center of gravity always remained active, guarding against Gawain's return kick, and at the same time using lateral movements to confuse Gawain into choosing to return the ball.
Everything happened in the blink of an eye, and Gawain had no way to carefully observe and think slowly, otherwise he might miss the correct hitting point.
Kick, kick, kick!
Gawain's footsteps had already arrived smoothly. Due to the violent rotation of the tennis ball, it bounced off the ground and jumped high. Then Gawain raised his hands to backhand and raised it high.
pause.
wave.
Hit the ball.
The whole movement was very smooth and resolute, without any hesitation or hesitation. He shot directly and hit the tennis ball hard with a big looping swing.
boom!
boom!
Gawain ignored Borrelli's fake move, took the lead and struck directly, and the clean backhand attack just bombed past.