Return to 2002: Freestyle Superstar

Chapter 613: The Highest Level Clay Duel in History
PS: Watch the game and understand.

The semi-finals!!! Zheng Qinwen has made it to the semi-finals, so exciting! This match was so fierce. On the clay court, in the temperature of over 30 degrees, for more than 3 hours for two consecutive days, it was not easy!
Compare him with the world number one in table tennis, the difference in willpower is so huge!

……

I love Roland Garros!
This classic clay court has left so many beautiful memories.

Chen Ran won his first Grand Slam title here, and his former coach, Chinese-American player Michael Chang, also won his only Grand Slam title here.

Even though Michael Chang is an American, he is 100% Chinese. He was the first to prove that Chinese people can make a difference on this court.

Then there is Zheng Jie from the Chinese women's tennis team. Two years ago, she also won the cup here.

This time, it was his girlfriend Ivanovich's turn.

Interestingly, Chen Ran's coach when she won the championship was Zhang Depei, and Zheng Jie's coach when she won the championship was also Zhang Depei. At that time, it was Chen Ran who gave his coach Zhang Depei to Zheng Jie.

When Ivanovic won the championship this time, although Chen Ran was not a coach, he also played the role of a coach.

The French Open champions these times all have a profound relationship with him.

In addition, in another time and space, Chinese golden flower Li Na won her first Grand Slam championship also on this court.

So, what's not to love about Roland Garros?
Chen Ran felt that although he often complained about Paris's shortcomings, in his mind, the Roland Garros Stadium was perfect, even more perfect than the Paris described by the editor of "Yilin".

"Congratulations on finally conquering Roland Garros. Tomorrow, it's my turn!" Chen Ran touched his girlfriend's head and said with a smile.

To be honest, now that Ivanovic has won the championship, the pressure on me has increased.

It has never happened before in the history of the four Grand Slams, let alone the French Open, for a couple to win the men's and women's singles titles respectively.

Could it be that Chen Ran is going to create a new record again?

No one can deny that Ivanovic could win the French Open, and Chen Ran played a crucial role in it.

His on-the-spot command was truly outstanding.

On the other hand, although Henin, who lost the championship, looked very sad, she still congratulated Ivanovic very generously.

I really envy you for having such an outstanding boyfriend!
……

"See? This is the coaching ability of the world's number one person."

"Without Chen Ran's on-the-spot command, Ivanovich would never have been able to defeat Henin!"

"Both the coach and the players are doing well!"

"We are increasingly looking forward to Chen Ran's coaching performance at the Yanjing Olympics!"

After the game, the headlines of the sports sections of many Chinese media were not about Ivanovic winning the championship, but how Ivanovic created a shocking upset under Chen Ran's strategic planning.

Instead, he became the protagonist of this women's singles final.

This was something Chen Ran had not expected.

But against this backdrop, he looks even bigger.

Chen Ran must win this final.

After all, the atmosphere has been set to this point.

One day later, the much-anticipated men's singles final took place.

Whoever wins will be the new king of clay.

"I was hoping Roger would wear Nadal down a bit, but that didn't happen."

When Chen Ran walked into the court carrying a tennis bag, he also saw the aggressive Nadal with a serious look on his face.

The two sides looked at each other, and then shifted their gazes at the same time.

It is unknown how many times the two have played against each other, but they have not faced each other on a clay court since last year's French Open final.

So before the game, Nadal's uncle had been waging psychological warfare, saying: I admit that Chen Ran is dominant on hard and grass courts, but on clay courts, he is afraid of my nephew, so he deliberately avoids him in the tour.

Of course, with Chen Ran’s current knowledge, he would not take Uncle Nadal’s words to heart.

As long as we win the game, that guy will shut up.

"Today, I must be crowned king at Roland Garros!" Chen Ran muttered to himself.

He would never allow himself to lose to his opponent in the crucial final at Roland Garros for two consecutive years.

As for Nadal, he was jumping lightly on the spot and taking deep breaths.

Nadal knew that a fierce battle was coming, and he was ready to consume Chen Ran with his tireless running.

Physical fitness is his greatest advantage.

Especially on this clay court, because the ball speed is slow, your body can keep up with your brain's reaction.

The nightmare that Chen Ran had experienced in the grass court competition was still vivid in his mind.

After the game started, Nadal could firmly implement his tactics.

He kept attacking Chen Ran's backhand with topspin balls with strong rotation.

Especially since Nadal is a left-handed player, his forehand can just target Chen Ran's backhand.

Judging from the level of the competition, today's men's singles final is on a completely different level compared to yesterday's women's singles final.

The intensity is too high!
Both Chen Ran and Nadal were running all over the court.

In clay court competitions, no matter how strong you are, it will not work without outstanding running ability.

"Nadal, you can run so fast!"

"He can run much faster than Djokovic, Chen Ran's opponent in the semi-finals!"

“This game was so brutal!”

Even the CCTV commentator couldn't help but sigh.

The two sides had a long tug of war, and I don’t know how many times it exceeded 20 beats.

Many times, Chen Ran's shots were obviously perfect, whether it was the landing point, rotation, or speed of the ball, but they were all rescued by Nadal.

Why was this guy called the King of Clay in his previous life?

It's just that you can't kill the other person!

Chen Ran tried his best to mobilize Nadal to the maximum extent, but his opponent was always able to turn danger into safety and survive in desperate situations.

The two sides fought back and forth, neither side giving in. Nadal can run, and Chen Ran can run too.

Even when Chen Ran had an opportunity, he couldn't beat Nadal within a few shots. Similarly, even when Nadal had an opportunity, it was difficult for him to beat Chen Ran within a few shots.

It's mutual.

An hour later, Chen Ran was leading 6-5 and took a 40-30 lead in the twelfth game.

Once again, he got a break point in the match.

How many times?

Chen Ran had no recollection of it because he didn't try to remember it.

Da Da Da~
Nadal hit the tennis ball silently, then narrowed his eyes slightly, observed Chen Ran's position, and then took a deep breath.

The pressure Chen Ran brought to me was really too great.

This guy attacked Nadal's serve again and again.

In just the first set, both sides had given their all and tried their best.

Due to the high quality of Chen Ran's serve reception, Nadal's series of preparatory actions before serving became more cumbersome and lengthy.

Whether it's pulling up pants, kicking the clay, or bouncing the ball.

In short, he just wanted to slow down the pace.

boom!
Nadal's serve continued to suppress Chen Ran's backhand as always.

Can't you be a little bit creative?

Chen Ran kicked the ground hard and sent the ball back.

Then immediately adjust your posture and prepare for the opponent's return.

He is actually very familiar with Nadal's unique clay-court topspin.

After a few attempts, both sides ran all over the field again.

Slide, and slide again.

The clay court was covered with traces left by the two people sliding.

Chen Ran wanted to break serve, while Nadal wanted to hold serve.

In this duel, the two fought for nearly 40 shots.

My arms are almost numb.

The clothes and pants of both parties were also covered with red mud.

"I feel like this year's French Open will be even more brutal than last year."

“Both of them seem to continue to improve compared to last year.”

"Uh, it's already forty shots!"

"Are we going to run towards the fifty beats?"

“Ahhh, it’s really fifty shots!”

The French host at the scene was also so excited that he was incoherent.

"Don't they have arms?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Ran suddenly changed direction and hit Nadal with a body shot.

Nadal was caught off guard and immediately adjusted his steps, reluctantly sending the ball back to Chen Ran's half.

Chen Ran immediately stepped forward and clapped his hands again.

Nadal ran wildly, slid and saved the ball.

Chen Ran hit a high-pressure ball, and the tennis ball bounced high up after rebounding.

Nadal was still unwilling to let his opponent break serve in this way.

He dove forward like a fish leaping for the top of the ball, and saved the ball high up near the advertising plate at the back.

When saving the ball, half of his body was even facing away from Chen Ran.

Can’t he be killed like this?

Chen Ran also became ruthless and pretended to continue with the high-pressure ball.

Then, he suddenly feinted, and when the tennis ball just bounced after hitting the ground, he hit a beautiful half volley.

This ball finally made it impossible for Nadal to catch up.

Break completed!

7 is better than 5!

The first game took 1 hour and 15 minutes.

"I dare say this is definitely the most exciting clay court match ever!"

"I'm talking about the entire history of clay tennis courts! Over a hundred years of history!"

"No one's match can compare to today's match between Chen Ran and Nadal!"

The French host at the scene was so excited that he was speechless.

Chen Ran also clenched his fist and raised it high to celebrate that he had finally broken the serve after such a long and hard battle.

The break point and set point were cashed in at the same time.

At this time, the camera lens was focused on the previous king of clay, Brazilian star Kuerten.

He smiled and stood up to applaud the duel.

Kuerten did not express any objection to the French host's evaluation of it as "the strongest clay court duel in history."

When Kuerten stood up, other French audiences also stood up and gave Chen Ran and Nadal warm applause.

The confrontation that lasted for more than fifty shots was a feast for their eyes and they exclaimed "Incredible"!
How can you not love tennis and Roland Garros?

……

(End of this chapter)