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

Chapter 17 Finals Begin

4 PM, Yoyogi Forest Park.

Amidst much anticipation, the final round of the regional qualifiers officially commenced.

First seed Yamabuki Middle School vs. Second seed Izumimori Academy.

The stands were already packed with spectators from Shinjuku Ward. Although this was only a regional qualifier, it still attracted a lot of attention as the final.

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

With the referee's signal, both players rose from the rest area.

"broken."

On the coach's bench, Kagura Ichijin's pupils constricted as he looked at the two players who walked out of Izumimori Academy, and his heart sank.

Izumimori Academy has unexpectedly changed the order of appearance!

Instead of the doubles pair they had anticipated, the third-year aces, Saku Komori and Hiroyasu Nakamura, took to the court.

This is clearly a "Tian Ji horse racing" tactic targeting the pair of first-year rookies, Kentaro Minami and Masami Higashikata, attempting to launch a fierce attack on Yamabuki's weakest link.

"One game to decide the winner, South/Eastern serves."

Despite being targeted, Kentaro Minami and Masami Higashikata's luck seemed to have run out, as they correctly guessed the serve again.

The two exchanged a glance, their expressions somewhat solemn, but they still resolutely walked into the center of the field.

"Dongfang, let's go."

Kentaro Minami took a deep breath, tossed the ball high into the air, and then swung his racket quickly.

"Bang!"

The ball speed was good, and the angle was tricky.

However, Komori Saku on the other side only smiled contemptuously.

"That serve is pretty average."

He moved into position with light steps, and with a seemingly casual flick of his wrist, easily pushed the ball back.

Izumimori Academy's strategy was clear: not only to avoid the terrifying national-level doubles pair of Yamabuki, but also to crush Yamabuki's momentum in the first match.

"Your return shot was also mediocre!"

Not to be outdone, Dongfang Yamei unleashed a backhand smash that hurtled straight to the baseline corner.

"Bang!"

Hiroshi Nakamura had already covered the position in the backfield. He received the ball steadily and did not rush to attack. Instead, he used a spiking pass with strong spin to send the ball back to midfield.

Doubles is all about teamwork. Although Kentaro Minami and Masami Higashikata are individually quite strong, they are, after all, a first-year team with limited time to play together. The key is to find the moment when their movements overlap or become disconnected.

Sure enough, after a dozen or so shots...

"0-15!"

Komori Saku keenly seized the moment when the two switched positions and delivered a powerful smash at the net, securing the first point.

"15-15!"

……

"15-30!"

……

"30-30!"

……

"30-40!"

……

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

Despite Kentaro Minami's desperate efforts to save the ball, he was unable to hold his serve.

The rest of the match was completely under the control of Izumimori Academy.

Komori Saku and Nakamura Hiroyasu scored frequently thanks to their seasoned experience and excellent teamwork.

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

……

"Game, South/East, 1-2!"

……

"Game, South/East, 1-3!"

……

"Game, South/East, 1-4!"

"..."

Kentaro Minami and Masami Higashikata walked back to the rest area, panting heavily. Their clothes were soaked with sweat, and they looked dejected.

"Nan, Dongfang, try to use your speed advantage to restrain them and prolong the rounds of each ball."

Kagura Ichijin handed over the towel, his expression serious but not flustered.

He pointed to Komori Saku and Nakamura Hiroyasu, who were wiping their sweat across from him.

"Their technique is indeed more refined than yours, but their stamina is not as good. As long as you can hold on to the score and wait for their stamina to drop, that will be your chance to counterattack."

"knew!"

The two took the towels and wiped their faces haphazardly, their eyes regaining their resolve.

Kagura's words were like a reassuring pill, calming their previously panicked hearts.

Watching the two figures reappear on the field, Kagura Ichijin silently recited the system's commands.

Saku Komori (third year of junior high school)

Speed: 2.5

Power: 2

Stamina: 2

Spirit: 2.5

Technology: 2.5

Total: 11.5

Yuta Nakamura (3rd year of junior high school)

Speed: 2

Power: 2.5

Stamina: 2

Spirit: 2.5

Technology: 2.5

Total: 11.5

Kentaro Minami (first year of junior high school)

Speed: 2.5

Power: 2

Stamina: 2.5

Spirit: 2

Technology: 2

Total: 11

Dongfang Yamei (Grade 1, Junior High)

Speed: 2.5

Power: 2

Stamina: 2.5

Spirit: 2

Technology: 2

Total: 11

The five dimensions don't lie. Apart from having a slight advantage in speed and stamina, Kentaro Minami and Masami Higashikata are lagging behind in all other aspects.

If the game cannot be dragged into a quagmire, the odds are against them.

"Bang!"

The sixth game, Saku Komori's serve.

"Bang!"

Kentaro Minami and Masami Higashikata followed Kagura's tactics, no longer rushing to attack, but patiently maneuvering around the baseline, even desperately running over to block balls that were difficult to save.

"Bang!"

……

"Bang!"

……

"Bang!"

……

"Bang!"

……

"15-0!"

This point took over thirty rounds to score, but was ultimately won by Hiroshi Nakamura with a corner kick from the baseline.

"Hmph, you guys are pretty tenacious, but what's the point? You're just delaying the inevitable defeat."

Komori Saku wiped the sweat from his forehead and mocked impatiently.

"How will you know if you don't try?"

Kentaro Minami didn't turn around, but tightened his grip on the racket, his tone calm.

Since Kagura Ichijin said there's a chance, then there definitely is!

"Stubborn to the end! Then I'll show you reality!"

Komori Saku sneered and served even more fiercely.

However, the situation did not turn out as one-sided as he had anticipated.

"30-0!"

……

"30-15!"

……

"30-30!"

……

"40-30!"

……

"40-40!"

……

"AD-40!"

……

"40-40!"

……

"AD-40!"

……

"Game, South/East, 1-5!"

This game was extremely close, with the score tied several times.

Although Izumimori Gakuen ultimately held their serve, Komori Saku and Nakamura Hiroyasu's breathing became noticeably rapid, and their steps were no longer as light as at the start of the match.

Kentaro Minami and Masami Higashikata exchanged a glance and saw the light in each other's eyes.

The opportunity is coming!

"0-15!"

……

"0-30!"

……

"15-30!"

Kentaro Minami scores with a passing shot.

"30-30!"

Dongfang Yamei successfully intercepted the ball at the net.

"40-30!"

……

"Game, South/East, 2-5!"

"hateful!"

Komori Saku slammed his racket to the ground, his composure somewhat shattered.

The game was just two goals away from ending, but those two freshmen were like chewing gum that wouldn't budge no matter what they did, and they even started to bite back.

"East."

Kentaro Minami keenly sensed the change in his opponent's emotions and made a subtle hand gesture towards Masami Higashikata.

"Um."

Dongfang Yamei understood perfectly.

In the following match, the two players began to deliberately target Komori Saku, whose mentality had collapsed, and all their returns were aimed at his awkward positions.

Komori Saku became increasingly anxious as the game progressed, making frequent mistakes.

Even with Nakamura Hiroyasu's desperate attempts to salvage the situation, he could not stop the Yamabuki counterattack.

"Game, South/East, 3-5!"

……

"Game, South/East, 4-5!"

……

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

They've tied it!

The entire audience erupted in uproar.

Izumimori Academy's momentum completely collapsed, while Yamabuki's side grew stronger with each battle.

"Game, South/East, 6-5!"

Last game.