Return to 2002: Freestyle Superstar

Chapter 605: Not Being Moved by "Provocation"

Chen Ran completely regarded the Clay Court Masters, which is considered a must-win by many top players, as his own experimental field.

Everything for the French Open, everything for the annual Grand Slam!

Even if he wins the French Open, he will only be 50% of the way to the annual Grand Slam.

But with Chen Ran's strong performance at Wimbledon and the US Open, as long as he wins the French Open, the progress bar will definitely be more than 50%.

The key is still the French Open!

The difficulty of the French Open is that even if he has cheats and has a simulated training ground, it cannot provide Chen Ran with much practical help.

Because no matter how powerful your strike is, how well it lands, or how intense the spin is, you cannot end the fight in just a few shots.

It is difficult for you to win quickly and defeat your opponent in a short period of time.

Especially when facing those Latin runners who can’t stop running.

This is also the reason why many big players hate clay courts.

Even the great Sampras once felt hopeless about the French Open.

He even hired a clay court coach and changed his usual playing style, but it still had little effect.

Chen Ran carefully recalled the clay court season of the previous year, and then a complex expression appeared on his face.

In that year's clay court season, he and Nadal, who had just reached his peak, had a protracted showdown.

From Monte Carlo to Barcelona, ​​from Madrid to Rome, and finally to the pinnacle showdown in Paris.

In five finals, he won four and lost one, but none of them could be said to be easy wins.

Since last year, Chen Ran feels that his clay court strength is still improving slowly, but Nadal's progress is obviously faster, and he can even have a certain advantage when playing against him at full power.

"I think I can understand the despair of Federer and Djokovic at the French Open. I feel the same way as they did at that time."

Of course, overall Chen Ran would feel better because he had already won the French Open twice, while those two guys had to wait for a long time and could only steal one when Nadal relaxed.

To be precise, Nadal can take advantage of his opponents' conflicts in the other three Grand Slam tournaments, but in the French Open, he has an absolute advantage.

This is also the reason why in his previous life, although he was five years younger than Federer, he was able to complete the Grand Slam before Federer at his peak.

In this Monte Carlo Masters, Nadal showed no reservations, swept all opponents along the way, and easily defended his title.

If it weren't for Chen Ran, this year would have been his third consecutive Monte Carlo Masters title.

However, after winning the championship, this guy was so happy and excited that he even said meaningfully: "I originally thought I would play against Chen Ran in the finals."

"I always remember the French Open final last year."

"In the clay court season the year before last, we played against each other several times in the finals, but unfortunately we only played against each other once last year."

“I don’t know how many times this year it will happen.”

In the current world rankings, Nadal has surpassed Federer and ranks second in the world.

This also means that as long as Chen Ran and Nadal sign up for an event at the same time, they will definitely be the number one and number two seeds and will sit in the upper and lower half of the draw.

So if the two want to compete, they can only wait until the final.

"I'm waiting for you in the finals, but why don't you show up?"

This is the real purpose of this cunning Spaniard.

Nadal is so eager to defend his French Open title that he is almost going crazy.

After all, if he only had to win the French Open once more, he would be able to say goodbye to being a member of the "Grand Slam Club". But Chen Ran was also a dangerous guy.

This Chinese guy is too cunning. In the clay court season before the French Open, he has been avoiding playing against me and never leaving me any chance to get familiar with my opponent.

The opponent just wants to put the only meeting between us in the French Open final, and then find an opportunity to defeat us unexpectedly.

Although Nadal and Chen Ran have played against each other several times on hard courts, grass courts, and indoor courts since the end of the French Open last year, the Spaniard ended up losing all the time.

But clay tennis is obviously a completely different game.

"The last time Chen Ran and I played against each other on a clay court was last year's French Open. It's too far away." Nadal muttered to himself.

It can be said that the two of them are very familiar with each other and often fight against each other.

But from another perspective, the two have not played against each other on the clay court for a year, and they are a little unfamiliar with each other.

"The best outcome would be to have a chance to meet before the French Open, otherwise the gap is really too long."

The Spaniards tried every means to provoke Chen Ran.

"I miss May 2005, in Barcelona, ​​in Madrid, in Rome," he said. "I hope we can play against each other again in Madrid."

"I know that we are both ranked top two in the world, and we can only face each other in the finals, but this is the most suitable stage, isn't it?"

Nadal hinted to Chen Ran countless times, I'm waiting for you in the final, you must come, don't be scared.

As for Chen Ran, he was delighted to see that Nadal was so eager to play against him. He could see what the other party was thinking.

"Come on, although we were both born in 86, your mental age and actual age are the same, but mine are not!" Chen Ran knew what Nadal was thinking.

The opponent was obviously a little anxious and eager to know his true combat power on clay.

It seems that my plan is good, at least it disturbs the other party's mind.

Chen Ran responded with a smile: "I will try my best. I also look forward to being in the final of the Madrid Masters with Rafael."

Is this serious?

Nadal believed it a little.

But a day later, he was so angry that he cursed Chen Ran as a liar.

Because this guy Chen Ran was eliminated in the first round of the Madrid Masters.

This achievement is even far inferior to last year's top four.

As a result, Chen Ran continued to be deducted the huge points that he had lost in the top four last year.

Nadal, who was unstoppable all the way and successfully defended his title once again, won another heavyweight championship.

Logically, as the second place, Nadal should have reduced the points gap with Chen Ran, but he was not happy at all.

I have a vague feeling that this year's French Open will be more difficult than ever before.

Damn it, that guy is too cunning, no matter how I provoke him, it’s useless.

"Chen Ran, can we play against each other once in Rome?" Nadal still didn't give up and shouted to Chen Ran again.

Chen Ran was also speechless. This guy really is still harboring evil intentions.

Can't we just leave our match at the French Open? Can you please stop being so anxious!
……

(End of this chapter)