Doubles 1

The two players, having lost the match, returned with somewhat dejected expressions.

We lost that match decisively.

Dejected, Washio Kazunari and Suzuki Kyō returned to their seats and covered their faces with white towels.

Their first appearance in this World Tournament ended in defeat.

This is unacceptable to them, who were being used as a trump card.

"Don't feel pressured, you've done a great job. You need to understand your weaknesses, learn from the opponent's experience to improve yourselves, and have faith in your teammates!"

Saito Itaru, acting as Mental Coach, pays particular attention to the players' mentality after a loss in a match.

But he also knew that this defeat would be a huge blow to the team.

Losing the first match in a tournament of the World Cup level can easily demoralize a player, so he had to get back up and receive psychological counseling.

"Yes, Coach!"

Washio Kazunari and Suzuki Kyō responded sullenly from under the towel.

Whether they listened or not, only they themselves know.

Saitō didn't say anything more.

Soon, the doubles match began.

"U-17 World Cup Group Stage Round 3, France vs. Japan Team, the doubles match is about to begin."

"The France team, consisting of Edgar Delacroix (first-year high school student) and Levitan Georges (third-year high school student), will face off against the Japan Team, consisting of Dōmoto Shingo (third-year high school student) and Irie Kanata (first-year high school student)."

"Please allow both players to enter the arena."

The broadcast ended.

Upon hearing the names of the two players from the France Team, Muneyoshi's eyes lit up slightly. He recognized one of them; he would become a key player for France two years later.

Edgar Delacroix was hailed as a "master of art" two years later.

However, he is still a high school freshman and quite immature; Edgar has probably not yet reached his peak.

Dōmoto Shingo and Irie Kanata encounter them, there shouldn't be any problems, right?

The only variable is probably that third grader!

Muneyoshi knew that Edgar would be very strong in the future, but he was only a first-year high school student at the moment. Even if he teamed up with a third-year student, Irie and the others should have no problem.

In order to win, Japan Team paired their strongest third-year student, Mifune Nyudo, with Irie Kanata.

The idea is self-evident.

"The match begins, best of three sets, with Japan Team serving first!"

After both sides guessed who would serve, the match officially began.

Standing at the baseline, Dōmoto Shingo silently pounded the tennis ball in his hand, his heart filled with rage.

As one of the key players, he didn't even get a single turn in a single one-on-one match.

But remembering the strength of those two players and the head coach's intention in placing him in doubles, he had no choice but to suppress his anger.

Bang!

Dōmoto Shingo bent his knees and lowered his body, the resulting weight shift bringing a steady and powerful force that was released from the racket in his hand.

Whoosh... Bang!

The tennis ball churned the air, making a whistling sound as it pierced through it, and in almost the blink of an eye, it was in front of Edgar Delacroix, the man known as the "master of art."

Seeing that his opponent seemed very angry and was using his full strength right from the start, Edgar was slightly taken aback.

However, his reaction was quick. He stepped back half a step with his right foot and crossed it with his left foot. He turned his body slightly to the side and pulled diagonally, then met the bouncing tennis ball with his racket.

Bang!

Like a hard rock falling into the net, Edgar never expected that Dōmoto Shingo shot would generate such volcanic eruption-like power.

He was careless for a moment, and his wrist couldn't withstand the force, resulting in a strong numbness. The tennis ball directly pulled his racket out of his hand.

"What!"

"That third-year student from Japan just served and knocked Edgar's racket off?"

"Randall, who is the other party?"

As the captain of the France, Ronard immediately realized that this was another trump card for the Japan Team.

"Dōmoto Shingo, a senior in high school, is the former captain of the Japan Team. He didn't get to play in the first round as the Singles 1. He's a power and speed type player..."

Upon hearing Randall recount the information he had gathered, a strange look flashed across the faces of all the France team members.

Even Camus, who was standing nearby, became interested; he hadn't expected the Japan Team to be so well-hidden.

Their gazes shifted, landing on the slightly raised figure on the opposite half of the field, their faces showing expressions of keen interest.

Bang!

Another Cannon Serve, but this time, Levitan, having anticipated the attack, stabilized his racket and avoided the embarrassment of being hit out of bounds.

"Japan Team scores, 30-0!"

"Edgar, the opponent's momentum has picked up; we can't afford to lose any more points."

As the two switched places, Levitan George walked over and spoke to Edgar in a low voice.

Edgar nodded and walked back to the baseline.

"Bear my wrath!"

Seeing the solemn expressions on the faces of the two players opposite him, Dōmoto Shingo made no comment and simply walked silently toward the service court.

He originally planned to use that move in the World Championship to secure victory before challenging Byōdōin.

Now it seems that his opponent's strength is such that he might not even need to use that move.

A thought flashed through my mind.

Dōmoto Shingo remained expressionless, stretching out his arms and tossing the ball over his head.

Bang!

With the same posture and the same force, a large backward bend and a rebound from the bent waist sent the tennis ball flying out at lightning speed.

Bang!

Another crisp sound.

As if he had practiced thousands of times, the tennis ball fell directly off the serve line.

Having already experienced the power of the ball, Edgar was completely focused this time. After anticipating the trajectory of the tennis ball, he instantly arrived at the landing point.

Bang!

Edgar maintained his sprinting posture, engaging his abdominal muscles, and pulled the racket back to his right rear.

At the moment the tennis ball bounced, he gripped his racket with both hands, volleyed the ball low in the air, and blocked it directly. Under his precise control, he used the force very skillfully.

He barely managed to return the ball over the net.

This is a short ball close to the net!

The third-year Japanese players watching from the sidelines were Japan. How dare their opponents Drop Shot right in front of their "star player"?

Did this high school freshman from the France Team not know how he died?

Dōmoto Shingo in the backcourt raised an eyebrow; his opponent's movements were indeed quite agile.

Unfortunately... it's useless!

Tap tap tap!

At this moment, Irie Kanata moved. His sprint speed was astonishing, and he lunged forward using the momentum of his slide.

He skillfully flicked the ball back just as it crossed the net.

"Hey-hey!"

Irie Kanata grinned, revealing a friendly smile on his baby face, his white teeth standing out prominently.

Bang!

A powerful, straight shot landed squarely on Livermore George's left sideline.

"Japan Team scores, 40-0."

Bang!

"Game, Japan Team 1-0, change of ends."

As the Japan Team scored a point, the entire audience seemed to fall silent. However, in this "quiet" situation, the two France seemed to have caught up with the rhythm.

Edgar truly deserves his reputation as France genius and a future pillar of the sport.

Under Levitan George's guidance, Edgar Delacroix showed no signs of timidity due to his age or being a first-timer on the world stage.

Instead, they became even more daring and aggressive.

Levitan George at the net also showcased his speed and skill.

However, Irie Kanata was faster than him.

A strong Insight not only allows one to perceive the other person's actions, but also to understand their thoughts.

Every time the France Team returned a tennis ball, it had barely cleared the middle of the net before Irie Kanata was already positioned to block it.

With a flick of his wrist, he swung his racket in a perfect arc, slicing the tennis ball that came right in front of him with a powerful backhand.

Bang!

The tennis ball hurtled down like a shower of flowers, or Synchronization child, it flew straight out of the right sideline of the front court.

"Game! Japan Team scores! Score 3-2!"

"Heh... just paying attention to the front and back isn't enough!"

Irie Kanata smiled, her white teeth, though shining in the sunlight, sent chills down the spine of anyone who saw them.

Bang!

"Game! Japan Team scores, 2-4!"

Bang!

"Game! France Team scores, 3-4!"

The score remained close as time ticked away.

About forty minutes later, the first set finally ended with another powerful smash from Dōmoto Shingo.

"Game Japan Team wins, score 7-5!"

P. S.: "Requesting monthly votes"