The French Twins
The Roland Garros stadium was bathed in bright sunlight, which illuminated the entire stadium.
"Ladies and gentlemen!"
"U-17 World Cup Open Tournament Group C Round 3!"
"The match between France Team and Japan Team is about to begin!"
"Please welcome both teams to the stage!"
The host's passionate voice instantly ignited the enthusiasm of the entire audience.
France, a BIG4 powerhouse playing on home soil, enjoys such high popularity in Paris that even the reigning champions Germany, cannot compare.
Upon hearing the host announce that the contestants were about to enter, the previously chaotic shouts suddenly became orderly, and the thunderous cheers pierced Muneyoshi's eardrums.
When the France Team, led by Ronard Teuton, appeared on the pitch, the atmosphere in the entire stadium instantly reached its peak.
France!
"Ronard!"
"Destroyer King!"
"Camus! Camus!"
The fans in the stadium were cheering loudly for their team.
"Next up is the Japan Team!"
Sizzle!
A puff of white smoke billowed from the entrance of the tunnel, and the members of the Japan Team stepped out of the tunnel.
But nobody cheered for them; the entire stadium was still immersed in the wave of cheers for France.
"Wow, the difference in treatment is just too much!"
Seeing the serious expressions on everyone's faces, Muneyoshi couldn't help but complain.
The atmosphere at the scene was terrifying. If you couldn't adjust your mindset, playing against France would be a disaster.
"There's nothing we can do; after all, the opponent is France, Paris's home team!"
Irie Kanata, on the other hand, remained calm, as if nothing in the outside world could affect him at all.
"This is the harsh reality of the world, not some child's play in Japan. All praise must be earned through one's own abilities."
Mifune glanced at the players who were about to take the field, and facing this crucial moment in the game, he no longer felt any mental pressure.
"So, the first match!"
"Go, Washio Kazunari, Suzuki Kyō! Go and let the world know your names!"
Today, Mifune did not stay in the rest room, but came to the site in person to oversee and direct operations.
"Yes, Head Coach!"
Washio Kazunari and Suzuki Kyō stood up. They had been kept hidden as the doubles' trump card until now, and Mifune Nyudo had been waiting for this moment.
At the same time, a tall couple emerged from the passageway in France.
The match schedule was also displayed simultaneously on the large screen next to it.
"Washio Kazunari (Senior 12), Suzuki Kyō (Senior 12) VS Angus Gale (Senior 12), Amos Gale (Senior 12)."
"Oh! Here they are, the France doubles."
The audience cheered excitedly, Angus and Amos had already shown remarkable performances at the World Cup two years ago.
They are the star duo of the France Team.
They're also a pair of twins!
Twins usually have a certain advantage in doubles.
Compared to ordinary pairs, they naturally possess chemistry and, after training, are naturally suited for doubles!
"Hey, Suzuki, another pair of twins."
"So what? Washio, we've had plenty of twins who've fallen to us!"
Suzuki Kyō patted his partner on the shoulder, appearing very confident.
"That's true!"
Washio Kazunari chuckled indifferently. Putting everything else aside, didn't they also defeat a pair of twins during the previous Shuffle Match?
"The match begins! Best of three sets, France Team serves!"
As the signal to start the match came over the loudspeaker, the four players simultaneously assumed their standard positions, one in the frontcourt and one in the backcourt.
Angus walked to the right side of the court, near the center line, and gently tapped the tennis ball a few times.
To be fair, these twins are indeed very handsome.
Their complexions were gentle, and their short platinum blonde hair exuded an air of nobility, with a single strand falling from one side of their nose, adding a touch of special romance.
Such beauty, especially double the looks, makes her even more irresistible to women.
Ta-da-ta-da...
Angus pressed the tennis ball lightly a few times with his palm facing down.
At the same time, he slightly raised his gaze and swept it over Washio and Suzuki, who were standing parallel in the backcourt.
"Are left-handed people in the right half of the draw?"
He chuckled inwardly when he saw Suzuki, the first receiver, standing in the right half of the court.
Swish!
Bang!
Angus tossed the ball, then leaned forward, drawing his racket back behind him and swinging it down with a feint.
The tennis ball, spinning wildly, flew towards the opposite court and landed precisely in the outer corner of the receiving court.
That is, Suzuki's right-hand side.
"A sidespin shot? And the ball speed isn't very fast!"
With his extensive doubles experience Suzuki Kyō instantly anticipated the shot's trajectory, making it a perfect opportunity for him to receive it.
With quick steps, Suzuki ran towards the side of the tennis ball's trajectory, quickly getting to the front of the ball.
"It seems their teamwork is getting better and better!"
Tanegashima was pale, but his spirits were much better now. He had not yet been put on the active roster by Coach Mifune for this World Tournament.
It is truly a pity.
With him was Saeki Muneyoshi. Irie accompanied Oni to do a simple warm-up, entrusting the sick man to Muneyoshi's care.
Muneyoshi originally wanted to stay by Byōdōin's side, but now he feels it doesn't matter. In this position, he can also take care of Byōdōin, so it can be said to be a win-win situation.
"Yes, Suzuki-senpai and Washio-senpai are our strongest doubles team right now."
They are also the only doubles pair in the current Japan Team that can achieve Synchronization play.
The two sides on the field have already engaged in a direct confrontation.
Bang!
Suzuki's gaze sharpened, and he anticipated Angus's shot trajectory, positioning himself in advance each time.
He can return the ball no matter what angle it's from.
"A short drive from the left!"
Bang!
Suzuki Kyō pulled his arm horizontally to his shoulder, then slammed it forward.
The straight-line, flat smash was fast and accurate, aiming directly at Amos's left baseline.
But how could the France duo be scored on so easily? The moment Suzuki Kyō countered, Amos had already turned and chased after them to the left.
Then Angus, who was in the backcourt, appeared behind him. The moment their figures overlapped, the two began to move in unison, constantly making runs.
Washio and Suzuki instantly lost sight of Angus in the backcourt.
However, having been partners for many years, they remained relatively calm and did not move around erratically because of each other's actions, but instead kept their eyes fixed on the other side.
The hope is to find a weakness in the opponent's formation.
Suddenly, Amos crouched down dramatically, Angus appeared behind him, swinging his racket fiercely.
A beam of mustard-yellow light shot from behind him directly into the Japan Team's half of the court, landing precisely at the center of the service line.
France, 40-15.
Muneyoshi, standing on the sidelines, narrowed his eyes slightly.
This is?
"I-shaped formation or the 'shadow-like' style of play used by the future Hyotei Academy team?"
The opponent's change of tactics not only surprised Muneyoshi, but also amazed the rest of the Japan Team.
They truly are a twin duo; the France Team's doubles pair displayed incredible teamwork.
Bang!
While they were pondering, the France duo scored another point.
"Game, France, 1-0, change of ends!"
P. S.: "I'll continue writing the rest, please vote with your monthly tickets!"