Tennis: He's so obedient!

Chapter 34 The Qualifying Rounds Begin! (Please Read On!)

After changing buses several times, Jiang Hong finally arrived at the airport!
"Accommodation? Accommodation?"

Want a taxi?

"Our hotel room is very comfortable, here's a fan for you!"

The voices of the hotel owner and the taxi driver rose and fell.

Jiang Hong saw an older woman pulling on a young man's arm, saying, "Young man, take a rest!"

"My plane is taking off in ten minutes!" The young man shook his head and refused.

"It's alright, there's still time!"

Jiang Hong's lips twitched as he looked at the scene before him.

I walked quickly through the waiting room and waited for about half an hour before finally boarding my flight.

An hour and a half later, Jiang Hong arrived in Shanghai.

The weather in Shanghai is more humid than in Chang'an.

Jiang Hong did not choose a taxi, since taxi drivers at this time would absolutely treat out-of-towners like pigs to be slaughtered.

Jiang Hong rushed to the registration office, signed the forms, and then booked a room at a nearby hotel.

Players participating in the main tournament can stay in hotels arranged by the organizing committee for free, and their meals and drinks will also be provided.

Qualifying players like Jiang Hong naturally don't have that kind of luck.

Jiang Hong glanced at the qualifying draw; there were a total of sixteen players.

Four spots will be decided in the final round, meaning that two rounds of matches are required to qualify for the main tournament.

In order to save time, the organizing committee scheduled the qualifying rounds for one day.

That means two matches a day are required.

This is different from the base cup that Jiang Hong made before.

Even the qualifiers are top-tier amateur players.

Therefore, playing two matches a day in the qualifying rounds is a greater test of the players' physical strength!

Jiang Hong ate something casually for dinner and didn't feel like wandering around.

After all, Shanghai today is still quite ordinary compared to its future.

The next morning, Jiang Hong arrived at the competition venue early.

The qualifying rounds featured domestic opponents; there were no foreign players.

This is normal, since the prize money for a 10K tournament is not enough to cover expenses.

If we fail in the qualifying rounds, we'll suffer a huge loss.

Therefore, the foreigners who come to participate in the competition are basically all main event competitors.

Most of the contestants looked eager to try, and Jiang Hong was also somewhat looking forward to it.

"panel!"

Jiang Hong called out in his heart.

[Host: Jiang Hong]

[Age: 17 years old]

Dominant hand: Right

[Status: Full of energy]

[Serve: 69]

[Bottom line: 67]

[Forehand: 68]

Backhand: 66

[Frontline: 60]

[Tactics: 60]

Physical Fitness: 70

【Speed: 75】

【Spirit: 75】

Looking at the data on the panel, Jiang Hong smiled.

For a newcomer like myself who has no professional team background.

A good spot is out of the question; it's good enough if someone doesn't use it as a stepping stone.

Just then, the staff informed Jiang Hong that the competition was about to begin.

Jiang Hong glanced at his opponent.

The opponent was a player from the Shanghai team, and he looked very confident.

Clearly, this is a benefit for the host country.

Jiang Hong was treated as a gift again!

Jiang Hong and his opponent stood at the net, listening to the referee explain the rules! Then, a coin toss was used to determine who would serve!

"Jiang Hong has the right to serve!" After the referee announced, he returned to his chair.

The two players returned to the baseline and first tried a few serves, warming up by rallies.

Although it's a professional competition, few people are willing to watch warm-up matches like this.

There were fewer people in the stands than there were at the base of the cup.

"Old Zhang, you're a bit cunning. You actually picked an opponent for your disciple who has no competition background whatsoever. Are you trying to guarantee him a spot in the main competition?"

The coach from the neighboring provincial team jokingly remarked to the Shanghai team coach.

The other party didn't seem embarrassed at all upon hearing this.

"It's normal for the host country to give out the draws. On the contrary, sometimes we are too concerned about saving face and always give the draws to foreigners. We should give more wildcards to the main competition, at least to give our local players some experience!"

"There's nothing we can do about it; we have to be mindful of the impact!"

"Impact? Hmph, our players have been targeted countless times when they compete in other countries!"

In some national competitions, the protection of local players has reached an outrageous level.

If the ball is in play, you can say it's out of play; if the ball is out of play, you can say it's a good play!

After all, there are no electronic linesmen or Hawkeye cameras yet.

During their discussion, the referee finally announced the start of the match.

Jiang Hong's gaze turned serious, and he gently patted the tennis ball.

Kneel down, toss the ball, push off the ground, and swing the racket!
boom!
All that could be heard was the sound of the tennis ball hitting the racket.

Then, it transformed into a beam of fluorescent green light and headed straight for the inner corner of the opponent's area!

The Shanghai team player's expression changed instantly!
What the hell?
Shouldn't I tell myself that I'm just a newcomer?

That serve was so powerful!
The Shanghai team players immediately quickened their pace and rushed straight towards the center line.

However, because Jiang Hong's serve applied spin, after hitting the ground in the inner corner of the first court, it flew out with a right spin!

Zhang Long tried his best to swing the racket, but he hit the ball completely into the air.

The tennis ball flew out of bounds!
"15:0"

The referee announced the score!
Zhang Long's gaze turned solemn. After returning to the baseline, he did not stand in the outer corner this time.

The position is directly in the center of the second baseline zone.

My biggest worry is that Jiang Hong will hit another ace like he did just now!
Jiang Hong stood in the second zone and served again.

This time, the angle wasn't as tricky, but the speed was very fast!
Zhang Long estimated that the speed of this serve had reached about 190 kilometers per hour.

Zhang Long immediately moved his body, stepped back and turned to the side, swung his racket, and hit the ball back directly!
However, because Jiang Hong's ball was very heavy, the return position was relatively shallow.

Tatata!
Jiang Hong immediately moved to the net and hit the ball into Zhang Long's right open space.

The ball landed too far away, and Zhang Long had no chance to save it.

Zhang Long gritted his teeth.

I absolutely have to win!
Although the Shanghai team has a lot of money, if they continue to fail to achieve results...

His resources will also be allocated to other athletes with greater potential.

Athletes are themselves a testament to the saying, "One man's success is built on the bones of countless others."

Although Zhang Long fought harder in his next two serves, he still couldn't win.

Jiang Hong shaved his head in the first round!
Love game!
"1:0!"

After the referee announced the end of the first game, the two players returned to the nearby rest area and sat down.

The coach from the neighboring provincial team turned his head and glanced at the coach of the Shanghai team.

"Old Zhang, it seems you picked the wrong person to bully the weak!"

"Hmph, it's only one point yet, who can say what will happen later!"

The Shanghai team coach glanced at the opponent, but his expression was clearly not as relaxed as before.

After switching sides, it was Zhang Long's turn to serve.

Zhang Long was noticeably more confident than before, clearly demonstrating his skill as a server.

Standing at the baseline, Zhang Long delivered a powerful shot.

However, the landing point was quite ordinary.

Jiang Hong arrived at the landing point ahead of time and swung his racket to steadily hit the ball back!

Zhang Long was no pushover either, and he immediately stepped up.

Pull back the racket and choose a forehand flat shot.

The ball was returned very quickly, and Jiang Hong's eyes flashed.

The image of facing the ball machine appeared in my mind.

Suddenly, with a slight flick of the wrist, a backhand side slash was executed.

The tennis ball arced gracefully across the net...

(End of this chapter)