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

Chapter 89 Driven to Desperation

"The second match begins. Please bring on the Yamabuki Doubles Team 2 and Nagoya Seitoku Doubles Team 2."

"Eastern Kingdom, it's our turn."

Kentaro Minami took a deep breath, picked up his racket from the lounge chair, and turned to look at Aya Higashikata beside him.

"Hopefully, we won't encounter too strong an opponent this time."

Dongfang Yamei frowned deeply.

The pressure of the national tournament weighed on their hearts like a boulder. Facing those senior doubles pairs, the first-year students had almost no advantage in terms of physical fitness and experience.

"It's probably very difficult."

Kentaro Minami gave a wry smile, took a deep breath, and then walked heavily toward the referee.

He had already realized that the schools that could stand on the national stage valued doubles far more than expected, sending almost all of their regular third-year players. A first-year team like theirs was simply an anomaly.

"Ugh!"

Dongfang Yamei sighed, gripped her racket tightly, and followed closely behind Minami Kentaro.

This time, their opponents were the third-year doubles pair from Nagoya Seitoku Junior High School, Brown and Taylor.

"One game to decide the winner, Brown/Taylor serve."

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

Brown looked at the two somewhat immature first-year students opposite him, winked at his partner, and a playful smile appeared on his lips.

They originally thought Yamabuki would change the order of appearance, but they didn't expect the other side to be so arrogant. This was a golden opportunity.

"That's really good, this game should be easy to win."

Taylor didn't even glance at Kentaro Minami and Masami Higashikata; his gaze passed over his opponents and excitedly looked towards the sidelines.

This time, Nagoya Seitoku placed all their bets on the first three matches, avoiding the doubles pair of Tani Yoshiki Shin and Ishimaru Kanto and the ace Kagura Ichijin who would appear last. They were determined to win against these "small fry".

"Let's get started then."

Brown shrugged and turned to walk toward the service area.

The August sun in Aichi Prefecture was scorching, and he wanted to finish the battle quickly, not wanting to stay under the sun for even a second longer.

"Bang!"

With a muffled thud, Brown tossed the ball high into the air.

His wrist rotated with incredible agility, applying a strong topspin to the ball, and then his arm muscles exploded instantly as he swung the racket down hard.

The tennis ball, spinning wildly, crashed onto the opposite side of the court. Instead of bouncing as expected upon landing, it shot upwards with a sudden burst of speed.

"15-0!"

"Is that... a topspin serve?"

Kentaro Minami froze on the spot, his racket missing its mark, staring in disbelief at the tennis ball that bounced towards the barbed wire behind him.

How could a serve of this caliber appear in the doubles second team? Nagoya Seitoku has definitely changed the order of appearance for the players!

"Not bad, you do have some discernment."

Brown smiled and nodded, his eyes filled with a condescending sense of superiority.

To return his powerful topspin shot, one needs technique, strength, and experience, and this first-year kid in front of him is clearly far from that level.

"Bang!"

Brown served again, watching Kentaro Minami scramble toward the ball's landing point in a disheveled state, but remained completely unmoved.

His serve isn't something you can just desperately try to return.

"30-0!"

……

"Bang!"

……

"40-0!"

……

"Game, Brown/Taylor, 1-0!"

After easily holding serve, Brown walked casually to the receiving area, assumed a defensive stance, and even had the leisure to glance at the spectators outside the court.

"The opponent from the East is stronger this time."

Kentaro Minami's face was ashen as he spoke softly to Masami Higashikata.

Brown's serve was not only highly spun but also very powerful, making it impossible for him to find a rhythm to return it. Moreover, judging from his opponent's relaxed demeanor, he clearly hadn't used his full strength yet.

"I can see that. Just do your best. Anyway... I'm used to losing."

Dongfang Yamei gave a bitter smile.

Although I was mentally prepared to be humiliated before coming to the national tournament, the feeling of helplessness still made me feel desperate.

"Um."

Kentaro Minami took a deep breath, forced himself to stay focused, and went to the service court.

"Bang!"

……

"Bang!"

……

"Bang!"

……

"0-15!"

After more than twenty rounds of back-and-forth, Taylor suddenly moved to the net and scored directly with a sharp volley.

"Bang!"

……

"Bang!"

……

"Bang!"

……

"0-30!"

After more than ten rounds, Brown hit a backhand return with strong sidespin. The tennis ball bounced off the ground and changed direction unexpectedly, causing Dongfang Yamei to miss her shot.

"Bang!"

……

"Bang!"

……

"Bang!"

……

"0-40!"

After more than twenty rounds, Taylor leaped high and delivered a powerful smash that slammed into Yamabuki's half of the court.

"Bang!"

……

"Bang!"

……

"Bang!"

After more than twenty rounds, Taylor hit a baseline cross-court shot that once again pierced Yamabuki's defense.

"Game, Brown/Taylor, 2-0!"

"Kagura, it seems we've been tricked."

Gu Jimin, watching from the sidelines, shook his head helplessly at the sight.

Kentaro Minami and Masami Higashikata were completely outmatched by Brown and Taylor in terms of power, speed, and technique. Even their prized signal tactics were rendered useless due to the poor quality of their returns.

"Hmm, it seems Nagoya Seitoku wants to win the first three matches."

Kagura Ichijin sat on a lounge chair with his arms crossed, his expression still calm, but a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes.

The situation is already very clear: the opponent's main players are concentrated in the first three games.

"Is Akutsu alright?"

Guji Muxin glanced worriedly at Akutsu Jin, who was still resting with his eyes closed.

With the doubles match already lost, the upcoming singles match will determine Yamabuki's future.

"It should be fine, but it's hard to say. It all depends on who the opponent is!"

Kagura Ichijin pondered for a moment, his tone carrying a hint of reservation.

Jin Akutsu's strength is beyond doubt, but this is the National Tournament, which is full of unknowns and variables.

"Sigh! Looks like I'll have to talk to Banye about the next round and ask him to let us go first whenever possible."

Gu Jimu Xin sighed and turned his attention back to the competition.

This kind of one-sided crushing match, while cruel for Kentaro Minami and Masami Higashikata, was also a rare experience.

"..."

Kagura Ichijin didn't say anything more, but silently recited the system's commands to check Brown and Taylor's five dimensions.

Brown (Third year of junior high school)

Speed: 3.5

Power: 2.5

Stamina: 2.5

Spirit: 2

Technology: 4

Total: 14.5

Taylor (Grade 3 of Junior High)

Speed: 3

Power: 3.5

Stamina: 3

Spirit: 2

Technology: 3

Total: 14.5

"The five dimensions are so high, no wonder the coded tactics of the South and the East are completely useless."

Kagura Ichijin sighed inwardly.

The five-dimensional gap between Kentaro Minami and Masami Higashikata and Brown and Taylor is simply too great.

Facing an opponent who is superior in every aspect, there is basically no use in terms of formations or tactics.

Even without going all out, Brown and Taylor's extensive experience alone was enough to completely overwhelm Kentaro Minami and Masami Higashikata.

"Bang!"

When it was Taylor's turn to serve, he tossed the ball high into the air and then swung his racket quickly.

"15-0!"

"So fast."

Looking at the tennis ball rolling behind her, Dongfang Yamei's face turned extremely ugly.

Taylor's serve just now clearly exceeded 198 km/h!

The doubles pair from Nagoya Seitoku Junior High School is truly remarkable. Not only do they both possess powerful serves, but their teamwork is also excellent, and they rarely show any weaknesses.

"Bang!"

After serving again, Taylor looked at the other side with a relaxed expression.

They were certain to win this match. They had already seen through the level of Kentaro Minami and Masami Higashikata; they were just average and posed no threat to them.

"30-0!"

……

"Bang!"

……

"40-0!"

……

"Game, Brown/Taylor, 3-0!"

"Bang!"

When it was her turn to serve, Dongfang Yamei took a deep breath, tossed the ball high into the air, and then quickly swung her racket.

"Bang!"

……

"Bang!"