"Set, high, '7:6', '6:7', '6:3'."
In the third set, the outcome was decided.
At the end of the set, Gao Wen sent out a wave of eight-point climax, and used a "love-game" to maintain his serve to win the set, winning the turning point.
Then, the big score exceeded again, "2:1".
If the first and second sets are stalemate or tangled, the victory or defeat is just one point away. Both Gao Wen and Murray have a chance. It depends on who performs better in key points.
So, Murray's sudden "disconnection" at the end of the third set was puzzling; and don't forget that Murray had the upper hand in the first half, so what on earth is going on?
Extremely physical?
But the problem is that a common feature of the Big Four is that even if their physical strength is extremely high, the quality of their games can still be maintained at a high level.
Look at the women's competition. There are many three-set scores like "0:6", "6:1", and "1:6". One of the reasons is the chain impact of extreme physical strength, which leads to a roller coaster ride. The score is astonishing.
Although the scores in men's matches may not be so exaggerated and disparate, it is also very common for the quality of matches to plummet under extreme physical conditions.
However, players who have been ranked in the top 30 in the world for many years will not. Their status is often relatively stable; while the fluctuations of the Big Four are more restrained.
So, what happened to Murray?
Could it be that... after returning from injury, the impact of physical reserves still exists objectively?
Just like in the second half of last year, after running all the way and playing full attendance, on the stage of the year-end finals in London, I faced serious physical problems and finally collapsed.
Perhaps this is the best explanation, but the specific situation can only be known by asking the players, and then you have to wait until the post-match press conference.
As of now, hope is not extinguished.
After all, Murray also grabbed a set from Gao Wen. He has done it once, so he can do it again, right?
The fourth set is a new beginning.
However--
A bad start.
"0:2".
Murray is in front, Gawain is behind.
In the fourth set, Murray took the lead in serving, but encountered extreme physical difficulties. Murray failed to score on the first serve. At the same time, his weak second serve was hit by the strong wind and rain. Hit and face a severe test.
A return ace and a strong return caused Murray to knock the ball away.
Then, Murray made a very untimely double fault, and finally Gawain completed the "love-game" break with a forehand winner.
At this point, Gao Wen had won 12 points in a row and continued the strong momentum at the end of the third set. He was indeed a bit unstoppable.
Rod Laver Arena is a bit dull.
Facing players other than the Big Four, Murray has really not been so embarrassed for a long, long time, so much so that after he finally scored a point in Gao Wen's service game to break the opponent's consecutive scoring momentum, Murray vented.
Roaring and roaring in release.
Like this is the breaking point, letting out all the emotion.
It's really frustrating and boring. Murray desperately needs this moment, otherwise he may explode.
However, Gao Wen remained unmoved and successfully maintained his serve, cashing in on his advantage of breaking serve first in the fourth set and opening the score.
Immediately afterwards, Gao Wen continued to attack and once again caused waves in Murray's serve and got a break point.
This time, Murray finally found his footing.
After four rounds of adjustments, his physical strength has eased slightly; at the same time, on a mental level, Murray also realized the importance of this round.
Got a break of serve?
Then it is possible to catch up at any time, and the score difference is not big. After all, in this set, Murray served first, and it was difficult for Gao Wen to open the score.
Got broken in two games?
In the men's game, it's very difficult, very, very, very difficult, basically equivalent to the entire game.
Murray must keep his serve.
Break point, draw.
Game point, draw.
Break point, draw.
The air became tense again. This game was almost like a match point. Both Gao Wen and Murray realized the importance of this game.
In fact, for Gao Wen, this game could be broken or not, and he already had the advantage anyway; but after he failed to break serve and accidentally formed a tug-of-war, the strategic significance of this game immediately became different.
Murray is now at a disadvantage, with sluggish momentum and on the verge of collapse. Once he saves multiple break points and successfully holds serve, it will be different.
If the momentum is rekindled, it may even burst out with more energy, and the mental and physical levels will be completely renewed. Then it is hard to say what will happen in the subsequent games.
Because Gao Wen broke serve too early and broke serve at the beginning of the fourth set, this also means that there is still room in the game and Murray still has many opportunities to catch up and go ahead. On the contrary, he may "over and over again." And three, three and nothing." Once the fourth set is lost and the final set is entered, it will be another story.
Therefore, this game must be broken.
The game is like this, changing rapidly, and the entire situation is changing all the time. Perhaps, the real turning point of victory or defeat has appeared quietly.
Back and forth, deadlocked.
Gao Wen missed two break points.
Murray missed four game points.
Then, the two players came to a tie for the seventh time, but still failed to break the deadlock. In a daze, they returned to the situation of the first two sets.
Glued, suffocated.
At the critical moment, Murray's second serve was caught by Gawain again.
a district.
Second serve, inside corner.
Murray tried to use the inside corner to restrict Gawain's backhand, but he failed to control the landing point well, and his speed and power were seriously lacking, exposing the opportunity.
Gawain's steps were very resolute, he took a big step forward, followed the inertia of his body's step forward with his backhand, swung the racket forcefully, and pulled out a backslash.
fast! Determined! Brave and fearless!
The whole movement is smooth and smooth, smooth and graceful, just like a dancing ballet dancer. The smooth lines are wonderful.
The return ball hit the sideline on the right side of Murray and flew directly out. Murray staggered and flew out, but failed to touch the tennis ball.
Return serve ace!
Winning point, one more!
"oh!"
Not cheering or applauding.
The entire Rod Laver Arena let out strangled sighs, wailing and exclamations of disappointment intertwined, even more lethal and destructive than boos——
No verbal explanation is needed to clearly feel which player the fans are standing behind.
You can see people covering their faces, looking up, looking like an ostrich, covering their chests, shoulders drooping, etc. A deep sense of disappointment permeated the whole place.
Obviously, they were not prepared to celebrate this wonderful winning point.
"ah!"
Gawain roared out.
"Ahhh!"
This time, Gawain was finally released.
It wasn't because he couldn't break serve, but because he was overwhelmed by the overwhelming pressure of facing the whole world alone; or because the situation in this game became sticky and entangled again, not at all as straightforward as it was from the end of the third set to the beginning of the fourth set. Clean and straightforward, this also means that Murray will eventually slow down the pace of the game and enter the mode that Murray likes.
This is a challenge to Gawain's willpower——
The model that I spent a lot of effort to establish was disintegrated after just four games.
The Big Four are indeed the Big Four.
Gao Wen needs such a score and such a release.
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