For Tiafoe, this game is indeed very, very difficult.
First, there is a lack of experience.
Although Tiafoe has a positive attitude and is not nervous at all, but comes on the stage with a mood to enjoy the game, some shortcomings exist objectively.
This is only Tiafoe's second ATP-level event. The result is a Grand Slam stage. This also means that the size of the entire stadium, the size of the audience, the atmosphere of the game, etc. are all different. These factors are important for The impact of batting effect and game status are objective.
Tiafoe is not a player who is delicate and good at thinking. When the scale of the field changes, so that the entire three-dimensional space changes, the hitting technique, effect, position, etc. also need to be adjusted accordingly, but obviously , Tiafoe did not realize this.
Therefore, the same batting and the same tactics, but the effect deviates from Tiafoe's imagination, which will lead to many unnecessary mistakes.
Moreover, Tiafoe also faces the second seed, Gawain, who is currently unbeaten in the Grand Slams in his career, and the gap in experience is even more obvious.
Don't forget, Tiafoe is only seventeen years old, just a child.
To some extent, this is the same as Gawain at the US Open last year——
It was the first Grand Slam of my career, and it was not easy in every aspect when I encountered a master like Isner.
Now, Tiafoe plays Gawain's position, and Gawain plays Isner's position. The layers of pressure limit Tiafoe's performance.
Secondly, there are venue restrictions.
Tiafoe is a player who came from the typical North American hard court training system. Although he has some wild methods, which results in some technical moves not being so standard, his entire technical and tactical style is that of a hard court player. As for clay soil, even the training time is limited, and even the training time is limited. Don't talk about the competition.
Before coming to Roland Garros, Tiafoe played three challenge tournaments and a match in Nice. All four tournaments were on clay to help him adapt to the surface.
But obviously, Tiafoe's adaptation effect was not good. Standing on the Susan Lenglen Stadium was like standing in a quagmire, and he could hardly move forward.
It is also the first clay court season of his career, and it is also four tournaments to adapt to clay court. It can be seen at this time that Gao Wen is obviously more skilled.
Tiafoe: It’s really hard for me.
Objectively speaking, the first two sets were not good to watch.
Tiafoe was hampered on both offense and defense. Firstly, his offensive power was greatly reduced on the clay court; secondly, his defense lacked the means to delay the round.
The entire game progressed very quickly, and Tiafoe made too many mistakes, resulting in the game being unable to be coherent. The fragmented confrontation was far from exciting.
It wasn't until the third set that Tiafoe finally adapted a little and showed off his talent——
For the first time since the start of the match, he kept his serve in two consecutive games. In a single set, the score finally broke one.
As a tennis player, Tiafoe is indeed talented.
In addition to the physical talents such as strength, muscle, flexibility, mobility, etc. that everyone can see, his batting touch is also very good.
This is reflected in the fact that, firstly, Tiafoe's hitting touch in front of the net is particularly soft and agile, and he is often able to hit incredible fairy balls; secondly, Tiafoe's hitting choices are often imaginative, and he often chooses some unexpected ones. route and landing point, and still be successful.
Later, some people said that players such as Tiafoe, Monfils, Kyrgios, and Bublik may have always been controversial, and maybe they cannot win everyone's love, but they have to admit that their Tennis is imaginative, which is undoubtedly special.
Just like this point——
Gao Wen had already taken the absolute initiative. Tiafoe was forced to come to the net to volley, but the racket surface of the volley was not controlled well, so that the arc of the return ball was stretched, giving Gao Wen a chance to half-court the ball. Gao Wen's forehand Choose to break the net in a straight line and finish the shot with great force.
boom!
The tennis ball hit hard, and Tiafoe flew into the air. His two-handed backhand was forced to evolve into a one-handed backhand. He barely intercepted the shot. Unable to exert force, he only relied on the turn of his wrist. Pushing, the tennis ball was pushed back incredibly.
and!
The tennis ball made a miraculous curve. Gao Wenming had already stepped forward to volley, but the tennis ball turned around the racket head and hit the sideline accurately. Finally, it jumped out horizontally, spinning violently to create a physics-breaking wave. regular arc.
Tiafoe, just get high.
While retreating, he waved his arms up and down to summon applause and cheers. His sweaty face shone with pride and pride, igniting his high fighting spirit——
Save break point!
This point is indeed crucial and important, and deserves Tiafoe's celebration.
"4:4".
"40:40".
In other words, once Tiafoe's serve is broken, Gao Wen will soon serve to win the game, and he will have no way out.
According to a reference data, Tiafoe has yet to get any break point in today's match, and Gao Wen's serve is impregnable.
At this time, we can see the importance of this game to Tiafoe. He must keep his serve in order to continue the game's glimmer of hope.
After experiencing a one-sided first two sets, Tiafoe finally regained his youthful vigor and domineering spirit in the third set. Not to mention whether he could defeat Gawain, but at least he finally showed his own style and played his own game. of tennis, showing off his special skills at the Susan Lenglen Court.
boom!
Boom boom boom!
The whole place was thunderous, and the audience did not hesitate to applaud and cheer, responding to Tiafoe's call and sending encouragement to the 17-year-old youngster.
Even Gawain is no exception.
Gawain glanced at the spot where the return ball landed, and there was a hint of surprise in his eyes, and he applauded Tiafoe without hesitation——
For a shot like this, one must admit that the opponent's flash of inspiration broke his own expectations and deserves all the praise.
Tiafoe enjoyed this moment so much that he even put his hands to his ears as if listening, which made the cheers even higher.
Originally, everyone thought that Gawain would rush to the finish line in one go and sweep away the army to win the victory; but something unexpected happened at the end of the third set. Tiafoe's high fighting spirit made the audience eager to watch the exciting showdown Wake up from your slumber and release all your energy.
Evenly divided, Tiafoe wasted a game point, and Gawain also wasted a break point. This game lasted more than three minutes, but the balance was still maintained.
All the noise and excitement have calmed down, and the crowd is watching the stadium with relish, looking forward to the continuation of the excitement.
a district.
How will Tiafoe choose to serve?
Kick the ground!
Toss the ball!
Swing the racket!
Tiafoe's serving action seemed simple and concise, but it was also able to release powerful energy. The tennis ball turned into a streamline and jumped out mightily.
In the outer corner, at 200 kilometers per hour, Tiafoe gave his best.
