Chapter 42
With more than half of the doubles auditions completed, the teams of Sanada and Yukimura, and Yanagi Renji and Kirihara Akaya have successfully advanced to the next round.
The special training that Yanagi Renji prepared in advance will soon come in handy, as his first opponents in the qualifying match are Hans and Lucas.
The venue for the qualifying round was moved to the Wolfgang Tennis Club, with a total of 32 teams.
There is a day break between the auditions and the promotion rounds.
"We can't cheer in person for a closed competition, well, Yukimura and the others won't lose anyway. So we'll see you tonight." Marui Bunta waved to the four contestants.
Yukimura Seiichi packed his tennis bag and smiled. "Just have fun, don't worry about the match."
"Pfft~ We're still more relaxed. Let's not talk about lunch. I'll bring you dinner." Niou Masaharu squinted his eyes lazily.
As was his usual habit, Sanada was the first to get up. He was already waiting at the hotel entrance, his hat on. "Be careful."
The Rikkai University Tennis Club split into two groups. Those who were out for fun set off directly or went back to their rooms to continue sleeping, while the other group headed to the competition venue.
Wolfgang Tennis Club.
The club has complete facilities, the tennis courts are spacious and well-maintained, and the contestants are divided into groups and spread out in various rest areas.
Kirihara Akane, unable to speak the same language, could only speak to the seniors, as he couldn't understand what the others were saying. "Senior Yanagi, who's our next opponent?"
"The Niou Phantom is the first one." Yanagi Renji chose the simplest way to tell Kirihara Akaya.
Sanada and Yukimura are also studying their opponents.
"I always feel that the combination of this doubles match is a bit strange." Yukimura was puzzled by the contestants.
In such a large crowd, the disparity in the participants' ratios was obvious. Some of the players clearly knew each other. Yukimura heard a doubles team nearby complaining that singles player XXX had actually found someone to compete in doubles with. Another pair of twins clearly looked down on some doubles teams, saying that makeshift teams were different from real doubles teams...
Upon hearing this, Sanada replied: "You'll know once you win the championship."
Yukimura nodded slightly and turned his gaze to Sanada. "Let's see what kind of reward is so attractive."
Sanada and Yukimura did some simple stretching exercises and waited for their opponents to arrive.
In this match, Sanada and Yukimura were ahead of Yanagi Renji and Kirihara Akaya.
Sanada and Yukimura's opponents were already waiting there, looking at them with contempt.
"What? A foreigner sneaked into the competition. It looks like Muller can advance easily this time." The opponent said arrogantly.
Muller nodded, not taking the Rikkai University competitors seriously. Those aiming for the U-17 level were well aware of the international rankings. "Good luck, Cochrane."
Sanada and Yukimura looked at each other and ignored each other's trash talk. One can only know one's strength after a competition.
Yukimura did not show any superb skills in the backcourt, but just steadily seized every offensive opportunity.
There is no special move that can be called out, but ordinary counterattacks can be the key to scoring.
With his unique skills of Fuurinkazan, Sanada created a storm in the arena that could not be underestimated.
Use tough performance to oppress the opponent and attract the opponent's attention.
Muller and Cochrane obviously did not expect Sanada and Yukimura to be so strong. They originally thought they could advance easily, but now they are in a tough battle.
Although the two attacked fiercely, they failed to score, and their proud tricks were repeatedly thwarted.
"It seems their strength isn't that great. They couldn't even force the Vice Minister to use his thunder." Kirihara Akari was also observing from the side. "I really want to fight the Minister and his men."
Yanagi Renji remained silent, and Yukimura's participation in the match was minimal, with only simple coordination. Sanada's defense was surprisingly broad...
Sanada's return is powerful and fast. No matter if the opponent is hitting a counterattack or a special move, Sanada will return it with a stronger force.
Yukimura was very relaxed in the backcourt, occasionally moving forward to fill in the position and using precise returns to create more offensive opportunities for Sanada.
As the game progressed, Muller and Cochrane's offensive became increasingly disorganized.
"Sanada, it looks like we can end this game soon." Yukimura blocked his opponent's smash with his racket in hand.
Nodding, Sanada was like a beast ready to strike, ready to deliver a fatal blow to his opponent at any time.
"6-0, won by Yukimura, Sanada!"
After the game, Yukimura didn't sweat much. Sanada glanced at the opposite side and walked off the field with Yukimura.
Sanada has long been accustomed to doubts. After he was selected as a regular player for Rikkai University and promoted to the captain of the tennis club in his freshman year, there has been a constant stream of voices from the outside world. After he won the championship, these voices shifted from his strength to other areas, and there has been no moment of silence.
Sanada and Yukimura advanced all the way, and even though they did not display their full strength, it was enough to scare many opponents.
On another field, Yanagi Renji and Kirihara Akaya were also preparing for the battle.
The opponents arrived late, and Hans and Lucas immediately attracted everyone's attention. They were tall and strong, with well-defined muscles, and exuded a strong sense of power.
"So strong!" Kirihara Akaya couldn't help but whisper.
Yanagi Renji gently patted Kirihara Akaya's shoulder to comfort him. "Akaya, you already know what you need to know. Don't be intimidated by appearances."
Hans and Lucas played just as Niou Masaharu had simulated, with a straightforward style of play and incredible power.
However, strength cannot kill the game unless it has an overwhelming advantage.
Not to mention Kirihara Akari, Yanagi Renji can fight Sanada on equal terms, and Sanada can defeat Ishida Gin, the absolute power type of Shitenhoji.
Faced with the powerful playing style of Hans and Lucas, Yanagi Renji quickly formulated a response strategy.
Let Akagihara play however he wants, and Renji Yanagi will be responsible for making accurate interceptions and counterattacks at key positions.
Kirihara Akaya was also full of fighting spirit. With the support of Senior Liu, he rushed forward and had a thrilling fight.
In terms of singles, Kirihara Akari might be able to score two small points. However, with his partner filling in the gap, Kirihara Akari has not yet gained an advantage in a one-on-two match.
Normally, Kirihara Akaya's fighting style could be considered reckless, but for Yanagi Renji, it was just right, making it convenient for him to collect data.
Based on a detailed analysis of the performance on the field, Yanagi Renji quickly grasped the rhythm of Hans and Lucas's games.
Under the command of Renji Yanagi, Kirihara Akaya's attack gradually found a breakthrough.
Kirihara Akaya and Yanagi Renji's attacks were real and fake, making it difficult for their opponents to predict.
Hans and Lucas looked at each other, one spreading his hands while the other scratched his head. They couldn't understand how a smaller player with a similar playing style could be so cunning with the ball.
Yukimura Seiichi covered his mouth and laughed: "Without Renji, Akaya would have had a tough fight."
Kirihara Akaya's tennis thinking is not bad, but his emotions can be affected by his opponent, especially when the opponent shows strength and can be evenly matched.
"Too lax!" Sanada shouted, which made Kirihara Akaya on the field shudder.
After rubbing his messy hair, Kirihara Akaya changed his hand and held the racket with both hands. The return ball that was originally required to be counterattacked was suddenly hit back by Kirihara Akaya.
Hans and Lucas, who were already accustomed to the offensive rhythm, were a beat slower and were scored against.
Sanada could see that Kirihara Akaya was in good condition, and with the support of his seniors, he was able to let go of himself even more.
As expected, Hans and Lucas launched frequent fierce attacks with their amazing strength, trying to defeat the combination of Yanagi Renji and Kirihara Akaya in one fell swoop.
Following Yanagi Renji's instructions, Kirihara Akaya would sometimes quickly go to the net to intercept, and sometimes retreat to the baseline to defend, successfully sharing Yanagi Renji's pressure.
After collecting the information, Yanagi Renji took the initiative and his moves were just right, which not only limited the opponent's offensive but also created scoring opportunities for Kirihara Akaya.
Under Yanagi Renji's calm analysis and Kirihara Akaya's aggressive attack, Hans and Lucas gradually became powerless. Although they tried to break Yanagi Renji and Kirihara Akaya's defense through strong attacks, unfortunately, they had little effect.
Finally, with the sound of a crisp ball hitting the target, the match ended. Yanagi Renji finished the match with a precise volley.
Compared to Sanada and Yukimura who advanced easily, Yanagi Renji and Kirihara Akaya had a harder time, but they also advanced smoothly.
During the lunch break, Wolfgang Tennis Club prepared healthy meals for the players who advanced.
There are not many teams left in the competition, but half of them are from Japan.
"Backhaus, how's the game going? It should be almost over." Berti slowly appeared in the working group of Wolfgang Tennis Club.
Backhaus turned around and saw the players from the German U-17 team. "Berti, why are you here? Why didn't you go out and have some fun during your break? I'll just take them over once the results are in. Besides, they don't guarantee selection; they're just reserve players."
"He may be a main player in two or three years, so I came to take a look." Berti was really on his way, so he used his day off as a practice. After dinner, he remembered that the number of U-17 junior high school student candidates had not been filled. Thinking of the competition date, he came to see if he could pick out any good seedlings on the spot.
While Germany's tennis prowess is high, and the U-17 team is not lacking in talent, those players are high school students. The inclusion of junior high school players in this U-17 tournament has given other national teams a chance to break Germany's winning streak.
The German U-17 high school students have already secured their places, and the champions and runners-up of famous singles players of the same age who have passed the selection of tennis clubs have been confirmed.
We hadn't originally planned to have more players; three was enough for the competition. The U-17 team was preparing for this competition just in case, so they could have someone to fill in if someone couldn't participate or got injured.
Berti glanced around and, guided by the staff, spotted the qualified players. Four of them, clearly not from their home countries, caught Berti's attention. His gaze lingered on Sanada and Yukimura for a moment, then shifted to Yanagi Renji and Kirihara Akaya.
Sanada noticed the gaze and turned to meet Berti's. Berti nodded slightly, and Sanada looked away expressionlessly. "German U-17 professional player."
"Interesting~" Berti moved away and observed carefully.
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