"40:15".
Gawain raised his chin and took a look at the spot where the return ball landed. He chinned his head slightly, without any more expressions or movements, not even celebrating, but with a calm expression on his face.
Gao Wen is aware of Zverev's serving power. Serving and receiving are an important part of today's game, so he needs more reference data.
From the first point, Gao Wen was observing Zverev's serving line and testing his own serving feel, looking for opportunities to break the situation.
In fact, if you look carefully, you can notice that in the previous point, Gauvin's return serve was slightly longer and went out of bounds, so Zverev served straight; in this point, Gauvin's return serve was just under the On the baseline, a squeeze was formed, which directly caused Zverev to fail to control the return of the ball.
In Gao Wen's view, these two points are tests, more or less luck-based, so they are not worth celebrating. We need to continue to explore.
However, Gawain's calmness and calmness were completely different in the eyes of little Zverev——
No matter how you look at it, you hate it.
Zverev looked down at the spot where Gao Wen had just returned the ball, took a deep breath, and secretly told himself:
luck. Just pure luck.
Turning around, Zverev asked the ball boy for the ball, and then gathered his thoughts. Should he continue to press the forehand? Or should I sneak in a backhand?
a district.
outer corner.
Forehand, forehand, forehand, endless forehand.
Among the calculations and counter-calculations, Zverev chose to continue to suppress Gawain's forehand this time. To a certain extent, it can be regarded as a coup.
Although Gao Wen was not surprised that Zverev chose the outside corner, when he actually saw the ball coming, his reaction speed was still a little slower than the previous point——
Gao Wen also did not expect that little Zverev would be so persistent and choose to suppress the forehand for five consecutive serves. He did not know whether to call him bold or naive.
The starting speed was slightly slower, but fortunately, in order to create an angle, Zverev slowed down the first shot to a speed of 199 kilometers per hour.
With a kick to the ground and a split, Gawain had already thrown his body out. He made a very embarrassing forehand cut and was forced to hit the high ball.
The tennis ball, high and floating, penetrated into the air.
This time is a little different from just now. This time, Gao Wen's control of the return was obviously not in place. Zverev's first serve was once again demonstrated. Therefore, the parabola of the return was not as far as it was high, and the landing point should be... serve. Near the bottom line of the zone.
Midfield ball.
Zverev immediately sensed the opportunity, followed quickly, entered the baseline, came to the midfield, and couldn't wait to swing the racket.
In fact, he could wait for a moment, waiting for the second bounce of the tennis ball to hit the ground, and then perform a high-pressure landing; but he refused. He just wanted to be more compact and stronger, and before Gawain could react, he could volley and win directly with a high-pressure shot. Full of arrogance.
Kick the ground!
bounce!
Swing the racket!
push down!
With Zverev's height, he can cover a very wide area in front of the net and can easily intercept in mid-air, but what about the force?
Because the core strength of the waist and abdomen is not that strong, the power to exert high pressure in the air is often tight - not 100%, but it exists objectively.
Especially when you are nervous.
Zverev tried to use all his strength, but his hand was still tight at the moment of release. He controlled the racket surface and wrist, and the power was not released to complete the high pressure.
boom!
The tennis ball, along the diagonal line, returned to Gawain's forehand position again, trying to find a repeat landing point to turn back.
However!
Gawain did not leave. He adjusted his steps slightly, stopped and turned suddenly, and in a blink of an eye, he was back to the forehand position. He made another forehand move.
This time, Gawain appeared to be much more calm when hitting the ball. Between the cross steps, he gently flicked his forehand leisurely, and the control of the entire parabola was completely under his control.
The tennis ball, like a rainbow, stretches across the court.
Moon ball!
But, is this really the best choice?
The 198cm little Zverev is like a wall. Standing in front of the net, if you want to get over his head and enter the bounds, the difficulty of controlling the parabola is absolutely extraordinary.
That mustard yellow ray penetrates into the golden sunlight that fills the sky and the earth, and the eyes are filled with blue and green surging down, and the whole world spreads out in front of you.
Zverev was adjusting his steps, taking small steps while staring at the tennis ball.
Back away.
Back away.
Still retreating.
Then, the tennis ball started to fall.
Oops!
Little Zverev realized that the tennis ball might actually be able to go over the top and land in the court, and he could no longer keep up with his retreat.
panic!
confusion!
disturbed!
In a hurry, little Zverev quickly took off while retreating, performed a high-pressure backward smash, and intercepted the tennis ball before it passed his head.
"ah!"
Soaring into the air, the strength of the waist and abdomen completely exploded, pressing down with all the strength, and folding the body inwards.
but--
After all, the amount of downforce is still lacking, especially the forehand control in the backward state, and there is not enough support.
Huh!
The whole audience exclaimed.
"Out of bounds!"
The bottom line referee's call was very resolute, and the score was immediately concluded. Then you can see the disbelief shouts from the audience.
incredible!
Zverev had already taken the absolute initiative, but in the end, the point belonged to Gawain.
what happened?
"40:30".
Just sixty seconds ago, Zverev held three consecutive game points and could easily hold serve. But in the blink of an eye, there was only one left. Everything happened too fast.
"ah!"
Little Zverev bent over, annoyed and depressed, and let out a low roar from deep in his dantian. He couldn't believe his mistake.
Then, he stood up straight again, but without looking at Gawain, he turned around and returned to the bottom line.
Even without eye contact, little Zverev could imagine that that guy must be very proud now. The last thing he needs now is to see that smug face.
Focus!
He needs to focus.
There is another game point.
So, what’s the next point? Continue to suppress the forehand? Suppressing the forehand six times in a row? But if I switch to the backhand, isn't it too obvious?
Little Zverev's mind started working quickly, and so did Gawain's.
Second District.
outer corner.
finally!
Zverev finally made a change and resorted to the classic tactics of the second zone, suppressing the backhand from the outside corner, pulling the opponent out of the court, and establishing an advantage through serving.
pity.
Serve the ball into the net.
Zverev still hoped to improve the quality of his first serve, but he pressed down too hard and hit the net directly, his first second serve of the game.
The air was slightly tight.
Little Zverev's heart was beating wildly, the pressure was overwhelming, and all kinds of messy thoughts surged:
What if we lose this point again? Will Gawain steal the second serve? What happens if we get into a tie?
What tactic should be chosen for the second serve? Return to the forehand position or continue to suppress the backhand? How did Gawain predict it?
In fact, what is needed most at this time is concentration and calmness, but the disturbing thoughts cannot be contained, and the heart seems to burst.
Second serve.
outer corner.
For the second time in a row, Zverev chose to suppress Gawain's backhand. This is the most classic tactic in the second area.
Moreover, this time the serve successfully entered the zone!