The Prince of Tennis: From Data-Driven Tennis to the Pinnacle of His Career

At 2 PM, the semi-finals officially began at Yoyogi Forest Park.

Yamabuki Junior High's rival is Hoshino Junior High.

According to the tournament rules, starting from the semi-finals, you only need to win three matches to advance to the finals, without having to play all five matches.

This gives greater flexibility to tactical arrangements.

Therefore, Kagura Ichijin did not hesitate to adjust the order of appearance.

The previous "fixed pattern" was easy to counter. Since only three wins are needed, we should put the three most reliable points first and end the game directly.

New starting lineup.

Doubles Team 2: Kentaro Minami and Masami Higashikata.

Doubles Team 1: Guji Muxin and Ishimaru Kanto.

The third singles match is against Kagura Ijin.

The second singles match was against Sengoku Kiyosumi.

The first single was made by Shintobe Inayoshi.

"Kagura-kun, if we win this match, will we get a ticket to the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament?"

As Sengoku Kiyosumi adjusted her wristband, she turned her head and asked, her tone filled with anticipation.

"That's right, the top two teams from the regional qualifiers can go."

Kagura Ichijin nodded, his gaze steady.

"Then let's try to finish the battle in the first three rounds."

Sengoku Kiyosumi glanced at Shintobe Inakichi at the end of the list and sighed inwardly.

Although Niido Mi has made significant progress, his performance is inconsistent.

Kagura Yijin's intention was clear: to not give his opponent any chance to drag the game into a decisive match.

"The first match begins. Please bring on Yamabuki Doubles Team 2 and Hoshino Doubles Team 2."

The referee's voice interrupted everyone's thoughts.

"Dongfang, it seems we're in luck."

Kentaro Minami smiled somewhat unexpectedly as he looked at the coin facing up in the referee's palm.

From the first round until now, they have not only had a smooth run in the competition, but they have also never lost a coin toss.

"Well, today's opponents aren't very strong, which is perfect for us to practice against."

Dongfang Yamei nodded as well.

"A decisive set, South/Eastern serves!"

"East, advance!"

Kentaro Minami's eyes narrowed, he tossed the ball high into the air, and swung his racket!

"Bang!"

"15-0!"

……

"30-0!"

……

"40-0!"

……

"Game, South/East, 1-0!"

……

"Game, South/East, 2-0!"

……

"Game, South/East, 3-0!"

……

"Game, South/East, 4-0!"

……

"Game, South/East, 5-0!"

……

"Game, South/East, 6-0!"

……

"Match 1 ends, 6-0, South/Eastern wins!"

"..."

Seeing Kentaro Minami and Masami Higashikata easily win the match, Ichijin Kagura's tense nerves finally relaxed a bit.

As a player, he has absolute confidence in himself.

But as both minister and "acting coach," the pressure of strategizing and deploying troops is constantly on his shoulders.

If a loss is caused by tactical errors, then he is undoubtedly to blame.

Fortunately, Hoshino Junior High School failed to see through the relatively weak point of Yamabuki Doubles 2, and did not adjust the order of appearance in time to target it.

"The second match begins. Please bring on Yamabuki Doubles Team 1 and Hoshino Doubles Team 1."

The subsequent matches were an absolute and utter rout.

The national-level doubles pair of Shin Tani and Kanto Ishimaru faced off against Hoshino Junior High's ace doubles team like adults bullying elementary school students.

"Game, Taniyoshi/Ishimaru, 1-0!"

……

"Game, Taniyoshi/Ishimaru, 2-0!"

……

"Game, Taniyoshi/Ishimaru, 3-0!"

……

"Game, Taniyoshi/Ishimaru, 4-0!"

……

"Game, Taniyoshi/Ishimaru, 5-0!"

……

"Game, Taniyoshi/Ishimaru, 6-0!"

The match ended in less than ten minutes.

"The second match is over, 6-0, Taniyoshi/Ishimaru win!"

"Thank you for your hard work, senior students."

Kagura Ichijin quickly handed over two bottles of mineral water that had been prepared beforehand.

With these two pillars of strength, he only needs to worry about the order of the singles matches, which saves him half the trouble.

"Pshaw, it's just a regional qualifier. We can win it easily. It's not challenging at all, not even a warm-up."

Ishimaru Kanto took the water, tilted his head back and gulped down a large mouthful, his face full of disdain.

"Kagura, don't listen to him. Even a lion uses its full strength to hunt a rabbit. You should take the game seriously. It's your turn to go on soon. Win this point as soon as possible and lead everyone to the finals."

Gu Jimusin wiped his sweat and said gently.

"Don't worry, senior, I'll do my best."

Kagura Ichijin put down his water bottle, took out his tennis racket from his tennis bag, and began to do some simple stretches.

"The third match begins. Yamabuki will play the third singles, and Hoshino will play the third singles."

Kagura Ichijin walked over to the referee and looked at Yano Eiichiro, who had a buzz cut and an arrogant expression.

I flipped a coin and lost.

Kagura Ijin didn't care and calmly walked to the center of the field.

"One game to decide the winner, Yano serves."

"Hey kid, is Yamabuki short of players? Why are there so many first-years competing?"

Yano Eiichiro looked at Kagura Ichijin, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

"Instead of wasting time talking nonsense, you should serve the ball earlier."

Kagura Ichijin gave Yano Eiichiro a cold look, his tone indifferent.

This kind of frog in a well, who has never even been to the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament, always likes to put on an arrogant attitude; it's truly laughable.

"Since you want to lose sooner, then I'll grant your wish!"

Enraged, Eiichiro Yano tossed the ball up and swung his racket forcefully!

"Bang!"

The ball speed was acceptable, but in Kagura Ichijin's eyes, it was as slow as a snail.

"0-15!"

Kagura Ijin moved lightly, without even needing to run a lot, and with a flick of his wrist, he returned a precise straight-line passing shot.

"What?"

Eiichiro Yano only felt a blur before his eyes, and the ball was already bouncing on the baseline behind him.

A true expert's skill is immediately apparent upon their first move.

That shot made him realize instantly that he had kicked a hornet's nest.

"0-30!"

……

"0-40!"

……

"Game, Eiichiro Yano, 0-1!"

"Is this all you've got? I thought you were much better."

Kagura Ichijin stood on the service line, looking down at the somewhat flustered Yano Eiichiro on the other side.

"boom!"

"15-0!"

……

"30-0!"

……

"40-0!"

……

"Game, Eiichiro Yano, 0-2!"

After successfully holding his serve, Kagura Ichijin silently recited the system's commands.

Eiichiro Yano (Third year of junior high school)

Speed: 2

Power: 2

Stamina: 2

Spirit: 1.5

Technology: 2.5

Total: 10

No wonder he's so confident.

Upon seeing Yano Eiichiro's five dimensions, Kagura Ichijin understood.

This statistic is indeed quite good for a skilled player in a low-skilled regional qualifier.

Unfortunately, Yano Eiichiro met him.

"Game, Eiichiro Yano, 0-3!"

……

"Game, Eiichiro Yano, 0-4!"

……

"Game, Eiichiro Yano, 0-5!"

……

"Game, Eiichiro Yano, 0-6!"

……

"Match 3 is over, 6-0, Kagura Ikijin wins!"

……

Congratulations to Yamabuki Junior High School for defeating Hoshino Junior High School 3-0 and advancing to the finals!

With the referee's whistle, the semi-final match came to a close.