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

"The third match begins. Yamabuki and Rokkaku will enter the third singles match."

"I'm going."

Akutsu Jin nodded to Kagura Ichijin, picked up his racket, and strode towards the court.

His opponent this time is Matsuo, a third-year regular from Rokkaku Middle School.

"A decisive game, Akutsu serves."

"You're Akutsu, right? Why did you switch places with Sengoku?"

Matsuo looked at the fierce-looking first-year student in front of him with some confusion.

Rokkaku originally predicted that Kiyosumi Sengoku would continue as the third singles player, but Yamabuki changed the lineup unexpectedly.

Although this didn't have a significant impact on him, the sudden change still made him somewhat wary.

"What? Do I need to notify you before changing the order of appearance?"

Akutsu Jin glared fiercely at Matsuo; this guy really wanted to get points from Sengoku Kiyosumi.

Fortunately, he switched places with Sengoku Kiyosumi this time, otherwise Sengoku Kiyosumi would probably have been targeted again.

"Kid, you're pretty arrogant. I hope you can still be laughing later."

Matsuo sneered and turned to walk towards the receiving area.

To him, it didn't matter whether it was Akutsu Jin or Sengoku Kiyosumi, as long as they weren't the Yamabuki captain.

He doesn't have a high chance of winning against national-level players right now, so it's better to avoid them. That way, he can at least win one match for Liujiao.

"boom!"

Jin Akutsu walked to the service court, tossed the ball high into the air, and launched himself into the air, swinging his racket with all his might!

"15-0!"

"It was indeed fast, but it wasn't completely impossible to catch."

Looking at the tennis ball rolling behind him, Matsuo raised an eyebrow and tightened his grip on the racket.

Jin Akutsu's serve speed definitely exceeds 200km/h!

Others would naturally find this situation troublesome, but it wasn't too difficult for him.

"boom!"

……

"30-0!"

……

"boom!"

……

"Bang!"

After running to the ball's landing point, Matsuo seized the opportunity and decisively swung his racket to meet the attack.

A tremendous impact traveled through his racket, making his arm go numb.

Matsuo gritted his teeth, gripped his racket with both hands, and forcefully pushed the ball back.

"30-15!"

"Did you catch it? No wonder you dared to target Sengoku."

Akutsu Jin's eyes narrowed; this Matsuo was indeed quite capable.

"boom!"

Jin Akutsu took a deep breath and served again. This time, he had more power and faster speed, exceeding 205 km/h!

"40-0!"

"Is the speed faster again?"

Matsuo's expression changed as he watched the tennis ball hit the wire mesh. Akutsu Jin's strength was even greater than the intelligence reports indicated.

"boom!"

……

"Game, Jin Akutsu, 1-0!"

After successfully holding serve, Akutsu Jin did not let his guard down; instead, he looked at Matsuo even more intently.

"Bang!"

When it was Matsuo's turn to serve, he flicked his wrist and hit a serve with strong topspin.

"Bang!"

Jin Akutsu ran to the ball's landing point and swung his racket to return the shot.

"A great opportunity!"

Upon seeing Akutsu Jin hit a high lob, Matsuo's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he decisively jumped up and smashed the ball.

"15-0!"

"A spinning ball?"

Jin Akutsu looked at the racket in his hand, his brows furrowing slightly.

Although I caught that ball, I also exposed a weakness.

"Bang!"

Matsuo served another topspin ball, keeping a close eye on Akutsu Jin.

"Bang!"

……

"Bang!"

……

"Bang!"

After a few rounds, Matsuo once again took advantage of Akutsu Jin's mistake in returning the ball and hit a baseline through ball.

"30-0!"

……

"Bang!"

……

"Bang!"

……

"Bang!"

……

"30-15!"

……

"40-15!"

……

"40-30!"

……

"Game, Jin Akutsu, 1-1!"

"Kagura, do you think Akutsu can win?"

Sengoku Kiyosumi, watching from the sidelines, asked Kagura Ichijin with some concern.

Judging from the current situation, the two sides seem to be evenly matched, but this situation will not last forever.

Jinta Akutsu relies too heavily on his serve, and once his stamina declines or his opponent adapts to it, the situation could turn around.

This situation is somewhat similar to his performance in the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament, where Jiro Akutagawa turned the tide in the same way.

"We will win."

Kagura Ichijin said in a deep voice.

Jin Akutsu's physical qualities and potential far exceed those of ordinary people; even if he uses a jumping serve all the time, he can maintain his stamina for a long time.

Matsuo is only able to hold his serve now because he is taking advantage of Akutsu Jin's unfamiliarity with spin balls, which is why he is scoring points frequently.

He estimated that this situation wouldn't last long. Once Akutsu Jin found a way to break the spin ball, he would naturally be able to take the initiative, and then it wouldn't be so easy for Matsuo to score.

"Really? That puts my mind at ease."

Sengoku Kiyosumi breathed a sigh of relief.

This match is crucial. If they lose, Yamabuki will be one foot in the abyss, but if they win, Rokkaku will be in trouble.

No one can afford to lose this match; it's fair to say that Jin Akutsu will determine the future of the Yamabuki clan.

"..."

After silently reciting the system's name, Kagura Ichijin began to check Matsuo's five dimensions.

Matsuo (third year of junior high school)

Speed: 3

Power: 3

Stamina: 3

Spirit: 3

Technology: 3.5

Total: 15.5

"Such high five-dimensional ability. It's fortunate that Akutsu played this time, otherwise Yamabuki would have been in danger."

Kagura Ikjin was secretly alarmed.

Rokkaku Junior High School had indeed made meticulous plans against Yamabuki. If Sengoku Kiyosumi were to play in this match, his chances of winning would not exceed 10%.

"boom!"

When he served again, Jin Akutsu kept a close eye on Matsuo.

"15-0!"

"Still a little short..."

Matsuo frowned as he looked at the long-handled racket in his hand.

The rackets used by Liujiao High School are all handmade by "Dad". They are not only longer than standard rackets, but also designed with more emphasis on power transfer and lever principle, allowing them to easily return powerful balls with less force.

Even so, he still couldn't completely receive Akutsu Jin's serve.

If only he could move a little faster, or predict the ball's landing point a little earlier.

"boom!"

……

"30-0!"

……

"40-0!"

……

"Game, Jin Akutsu, 2-1!"

After holding serve again, Akutsu Jin showed no joy; instead, his expression grew even more solemn.

Matsuo almost caught the ball just now. If this continues, it probably won't be long before he gets used to his serve.

"We must quickly adapt to the spin ball; only then can we truly take the initiative."

Akutsu Jin made up his mind, walked to the receiving area, and assumed a defensive stance.

If he can break the spin ball, with his speed and power, he can definitely completely suppress Matsuo.

Even if Matsuo comes up with other moves, he will have plenty of time to react and adapt.

Based on this estimate, he could win the game without even needing a tiebreaker.