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

Chapter 92 Tie the Score

"The fourth match begins. Please bring on the Yamabuki Doubles Team 1 and Nagoya Seitoku Doubles Team 1."

"Let's go, Ishimaru."

Gu Jimin stood up from the lounge chair and picked up his racket.

He made no extra movements, simply nodding calmly to Banta Mikiya, who was resting with his eyes closed on the coach's bench, before walking steadily toward the court.

"I don't know who the opponent is, but it's sure to be another boring match."

Ishimaru Kanto stretched lazily and rubbed his sleepy eyes.

He casually slung his racket over his shoulder and followed Gu Jimin with a somewhat unhurried pace, as if this were just an insignificant practice match.

This time, their opponents were the first-year doubles team from Nagoya Seitoku Junior High School, Sho Nanahara and Naoki Shionoya.

"A single game to decide the winner, Nanahara/Shionoya serve."

"Nanagata, what should we do?"

Looking at the composed and calm Tani Yoshiki Shin and Ishimaru Kanto across from him, Shionoya Naoki felt his palms were sweating profusely.

No one expected that Bellamy, who was originally in a sure-fire victory, would lose to that guy named Akutsu Jin.

Nagoya Seitoku Junior High School is now on the brink of elimination; to advance, they must win another match.

This immense pressure now rested entirely on the shoulders of the two first-year students.

"Let's give it a try. We're just cannon fodder anyway, so it's normal for us to lose."

Nanahara Sho shrugged, a wry smile playing on his lips.

Those senior students and strong overseas players all chose to avoid the battle, so what can they do?

In fact, Nagoya Seitoku's "Tian Ji's horse racing" plan has already failed, but there are still some unwilling people who, with unrealistic expectations, have placed their final bets on them.

"Sigh! That's all we can do."

Naoki Shionoya sighed and shook his head helplessly.

He walked to the service court, took a deep breath, tossed the ball high into the air, and swung his racket quickly.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

"0-15!"

'

In just a few rounds, Ishimaru Kanto appeared at the net and scored directly with a clean volley.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

"0-30!"

'

After a few rounds, Gu Jimusin scored again with a baseline cross-court shot.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

"0-40!"

After a few rounds, before the two first-year students, Nanahara Sho and Shionoya Naoki, could react, Ishimaru...

The player moved to the net again and, with a deft short shot, brought the tennis ball to a slow stop in front of the net.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

"Game, Nanabahara/Shionoya, 0-1!"

After their serve was easily broken, Nanahara Sho and Shionoya Naoki looked at each other in bewilderment.

Although they knew they were no match for the doubles pair of Tani Yoshiki Shin and Ishimaru Kanto, the sheer gap in skill and strength left them feeling utterly hopeless.

"Tornado!"

Ishimaru Kanto stood in the service area, a confident smile playing on his lips.

He tossed the ball high into the air, swung his arm sharply, and delivered his signature topspin serve.

"15-0!"

"30-0!"

"40-0!"

"Tornado!"

When the ball was served again, Ishimaru Kanto saw that Nanahara Sho had already run to the landing point of the ball and assumed a very standard return stance.

"Bang!"

After catching the bouncing ball steadily with his racket, Nanahara Sho flicked his wrist, applying spin to the ball and actually hitting it back directly.

"Did you catch it?"

Ishimaru Kanto paused for a moment, then raised an eyebrow in surprise.

It seems that the freshman on the other side is not simple either.

Unfortunately, this isn't a singles match, so simply receiving his serve isn't very useful.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

After several rounds, Gu Jimu Xin, who had been waiting for an opportunity, leaped high and delivered a powerful smash, ending the suspense of the game.

"Game, Nanabahara/Shionoya, 0-2!"

After successfully holding serve, Guji Muxin and Ishimaru Kanto exchanged a glance and tacitly went to their respective positions to assume defensive stances.

Although the opposing first-year doubles pair is not a real threat to them at the moment, even a lion will use its full strength to hunt a rabbit, so it's always good to be cautious.

"Nichihara, if we keep going like this, we'll get shut out. We need to change our tactics."

During the break between serves, Naoki Shionoya glanced at Sho Nanahara, who was covered in sweat, and said with a serious expression.

This is their service game, and if they don't come up with a solution quickly, the situation will be completely beyond saving.

"How do you want to change it? Just tell me directly."

Nanahara Sho walked to the service court and gripped his racket tightly.

He turned to look at Naoki Shionoya, his eyes filled with a resolute expression.

This game is crucial for them. If they can't find a way to counter the doubles pair of Shin Tani and Kanto Ishimaru, then they are really doomed to lose.

"Let's use an I-shaped formation."

Naoki Shionoya lowered his voice, his tone carrying a hint of adventure.

This is their only trump card, and now it's time to bring it out.

"Can we do it? We've only been practicing for a short time."

Nanahara Sho hesitated.

Using a formation that you haven't mastered yet in a national-level competition is too risky.

If it doesn't work, it might even backfire and expose more flaws.

"Do we still have a choice?"

Naoki Shionoya gave a wry smile.

The situation is now quite clear: if they don't use the "character formation," they will undoubtedly lose; if they do, at least they can still fight for that tiny, slim chance.

"All right."

Nanahara Sho gritted his teeth and nodded emphatically.

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

In front of him, Naoki Shionoya crouched at the center of the net, forming a unique I-shaped formation.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

15-0!

'

This tactical change seemed to have worked. After more than ten rounds, Nanahara Sho seized the opportunity and scored directly with a baseline through ball.

"I-formation? Guji, did you see it?"

Looking at the positions of Nanahara Sho and Shionoya Naoki on the opposite side, Ishimaru Kanto chuckled, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes.

He and Gu Jimusin had studied this formation long ago, and could even say they knew it inside and out.

While the I-shaped formation can confuse opponents and increase the difficulty of their return of the ball, its weaknesses are equally obvious. Once the opponent sees through its intentions, the defense becomes extremely vulnerable and can be easily torn apart.

"Hmm, the opponent probably hasn't fully mastered the I-formation yet. Their coordination is rusty, and there are too many weaknesses."

Gu Jimuxin shook his head, his expression indifferent.

For them, this half-baked I-formation is not a significant threat.

"Bang!"

After serving again, Nanahara Sho adopted a defensive stance, carefully observing his opponent.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

"15-15!"

'

After a few rounds, Kanto Ishimaru seized the opportunity and hit a powerful spin shot to score directly.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

"15-30!"

'

0

After a few rounds, Gu Jimusin keenly spotted an opening in his opponent's movement and hit the ball directly into a corner on one side.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

"15-40!"

'

"Game, Nanabahara/Shionoya, 0-3!"

"To be able to score against two senior students, that's really impressive."

Kagura Ichijin, watching from the sidelines, raised an eyebrow in surprise.

He underestimated Nagoya Seitoku Junior High School. This school not only recruits strong overseas players, but also attaches great importance to the training of local players.

If this two-pronged approach continues, Nagoya Seitoku Junior High School may indeed become a regular participant in national competitions.

After silently reciting the system's name, Kagura Ichijin began to check the five dimensions of Nanahara Sho and Shionoya Naoki.

Nanahara Sho (First year of junior high school)

Speed: 2.5

Power: 2.5

Stamina: 2.5

Spirit: 2

Technology: 3

Total: 12.5

Naoki Shionoya (First year of junior high school)

Speed: 3

Power: 2.5

Stamina: 2.5

Spirit: 2

Technology: 2

Total: 12

Nanahara Sho and Shionoya Naoki were already very strong among the first-year students, but unfortunately they were facing Tani Yoshiki Shin and Ishimaru Kanto, who were at their peak.

With their position completely outmatched, Nanahara Sho and Shionoya Naoki never found another chance to fight back, and were firmly suppressed by the experienced Tani Yoshiki Shin and Ishimaru Kanto.

"Bang!"

After it was his turn to serve, Gu Jimuxin gave his opponent no chance to catch his breath.

He tossed the ball high into the air, then swung his racket quickly, his movements precise and powerful.

"15-0!"

"30-0!"

"40-0!"

"Game, Nanabahara/Shionoya, 0-4!"

"Game, Nanabahara/Shionoya, 0-5!"

"Game, Nanabahara/Shionoya, 0-6!"

"Match 4 ends, 6-0, Taniyoshi/Ishimaru win!"