Match point

"I'm ready for the challenge."

At the press conference, the issues surrounding Federer and Wawrinka undoubtedly became the protagonists, and this was also the focus of everyone's attention.

Gao Wen was also mentally prepared for this. Although he repeatedly emphasized that he did not have the control and decision-making power over the outcome of another event, the reporter still asked relentlessly, and in the end Gao Wen could only give With such an answer, the smile slightly rose again.

"But I'm fortunate that now I'm sitting here accepting questions and waiting for a result. I finally understand the joy of 'sitting on a mountain and watching the tiger fight'."

The light joke successfully made the corners of the reporters' mouths curl up.

Then, Gawain added another sentence, and his smile turned into laughter easily.

"In fact, instead of interviewing an emotionless answering robot here, let's focus on the competition that is going on now."

"Obviously, that's a lot more exciting."

Not only self-deprecating, but also ridiculing, killing two birds with one stone, the atmosphere of the press conference instantly became lively. Who can refuse the match between Federer and Wawrinka?

Gao Wen's words hit the target like this, and there should be quite a few reporters on the scene who were eager to finish their work and return to the scene to watch the final quarter-finals match.

Including Gawain himself is no exception——

In fact, the end of the press conference does not mean that today's work is all over. There will be physical therapy, massage, recovery training, etc. Gao Wen still has a lot of things that must be completed tonight.

However, the first thing Gao Wen did when he returned to the players' lounge was to watch the game. What was being broadcast live on the TV screen was the last event of the day.

But the slight difference is that Gao Wen did not sit on the sofa, but began to relax after the game, pedaling on his bicycle and relaxing his muscles while watching the game.

Jiang Yanyun glanced at Gao Wen, who couldn't take his eyes off the TV screen, with a helpless expression on his face, "I really can't stop even if I take a break."

Pulan also had a smile in his eyes, but he still protected Gawain, "This is also preparation for the next game."

Jiang Yanyun looked at Pu Lan helplessly, and couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth.

To be precise, Pullan was right, this was indeed part of the homework.

From the standard bottom-line full-attack, full-defense style of Bellucic and Agut to Gasquet's typical all-out attack style, Gao Wen's game intensity and state adjustment are also improving step by step.

The next opponent will be even better.

Both Federer and Wawrinka are better at offense than defense, but that doesn't mean their defense is a shortcoming. Their overall strength has entered another level.

Gawain has a clear understanding of this——

Wawrinka can also explode with incredible power and impact on the clay court of Roland Garros; Federer fully demonstrates the smoothness and connection of his offense on the grass of Wimbledon.

Now coming to Flushing, the fast and hard courts here are more suitable for their performance. For Wawrinka, the fullness of power is even better; for Federer, the control of rhythm is more comfortable and changeable.

At the press conference, reporters asked which player Gao Wen would rather face if he could choose.

Of course, Gao Wen would not give an answer, because any answer would be disrespectful to another player, but deep down, Gao Wen must have thought about it.

The difference is that Gao Wen is not thinking about which player he has a better chance of winning against, but which player is a more severe challenge on this field——-
Now that we have reached this point, we should naturally challenge higher difficulties and higher levels. No matter whether we win or lose, the right answer is to embrace the challenge and embrace it.The answer is Federer.

Judging from the overall strength and recent status, Federer does have a slight advantage. At least at this stage, Federer is still the most threatening player to Djokovic, and the favorite to win is not just talk.

Reporters should not have missed an important point——

Since Cincinnati, Federer has not only maintained an unbeaten record, but has also not dropped a set.

Just like the grass court season, Federer's excellent serving state and wonderful on-the-spot reactions, as well as the most important key, are an unyielding, hot and fresh champion's heart.

There is no doubt that Federer is still the top player at the top of the ATP.

Especially when he collides with top players, Federer's sense of competition and desire to win are still burning brightly, which is commendable.

Looking back on the historical trajectory many years later, it is not difficult to find that in fact, 2015 was indeed the peak of Federer's comprehensive recovery. From his skills to his condition to his confidence, everything has reached a new height. This should be his best performance after 2012. A good season.

However, judging from the history of Gawain's previous life, why was Federer unable to win any Grand Slam championships in 2015?
——Technical constraints.

Although this may be a bit shocking to say, Federer?The most comprehensive player on the entire tour, Federer?He actually has technical constraints?
How can it be!

However, this is the case.

Federer realized that while he was improving, his competitors, led by Nadal and Djokovic, were also improving, and that his opponents had improved more than him. His progress looked like a regression, even if his skills and skills were better than his own. The state and confidence have all reached their peak, but it is still not enough.

The one-handed backhand's ability to resist hits is the limitation.

In a head-on collision with Djokovic, the No. [-] double backhand player on the tour, and a strong collision with Nadal's forehand super topspin, Federer was completely at a disadvantage, even though Federer was able to win in the best-of-three sets at the Masters. , but on the Grand Slam best-of-five-set stage, it was a breath of a sigh of relief.

In the last life, Federer lost to Djokovic in all three consecutive finals of important events. This was a heavy blow to Federer.

It's not that he is in poor condition or lacks confidence, but that his technical shortcomings have become a shackle.

Therefore, this prompted Federer to change his racket in the 2015 offseason and increase his sweet spot area by increasing the area of ​​the racket surface. Although the difficulty of controlling the one-handed backhand has increased, correspondingly, his ability to resist hits has also improved. Improvement, shortcomings have been compensated to a certain extent.

Fans already know what happened next. Federer won two more Australian Open championships and a Wimbledon championship.

In other words, in 2015, Federer's competitive status is actually almost the same as that of his peak period. It is not that he has become weaker, but that competitors such as Djokovic and Wawrinka have become stronger. The impact is even more obvious.

How strong was Federer at his peak?
Dominance is unquestionable.

This year's US Open, Federer's confidence has been further improved compared to Wimbledon. His loss to Djokovic in the final of the All England Club in four sets can be said to be a heavy blow. After that, he learned from the pain and made a comeback. When he arrived in Flushing, Federer did not hide his confidence.

Tonight, facing Wawrinka, Federer also showed his belief——

victory?

No, champion!