The final was a best of five set system.
Tezuka's performance was steady, and the current score was 1: 2.
Roger was temporarily in the lead.
But Tezuka did not panic.
He had not given it his all.
The only reason his opponent could beat him was because of his experience in the competition. He never thought that he was weaker than others.
Even though accidents were bound to happen in a competition,
The result was unpredictable, but for Tezuka Kunimitsu, he treated every match seriously.
He had no regrets.
Winning or losing was secondary.
Tezuka narrowed his eyes and glanced at Roger.
He made a prompt decision to go to the net and intercept the ball.
When Roger reached the net, it was already too late. He could only watch as the ball rolled back on the ground.
Tezuka's State Zero caught Roger by surprise. Even if Roger wanted to receive it, he could not do anything.
If he was not prepared for this kind of counterattack,
He would not be able to receive it with just a momentary reaction.
Tezuka's technique had matured.
No matter who his opponent was,
In the middle of an intense competition, there was no way to react in a split second.
State Zero was indeed a very useful technique in an ambush.
Roger stood in front of the net and shook his head slightly. He was helpless against this ball.
But he smiled at Tezuka.
"A very interesting ball."
Tezuka nodded. "Thank you."
"Are all Easterners so modest?" Roger laughed.
"I will win." Tezuka pressed his lips and did not bother being humble.
This match was different from the past.
It was not only because of Jin Manguan, but also because of someone in the audience.
No matter what kind of mentality he had, Tezuka Kunimitsu did not want to lose.
Or rather,
In this match, he did not consider anything other than winning.
Roger was stunned as he watched Tezuka walk back to the service area.
Atobe laughed in the audience.
"Tezuka is still the same. I thought he had changed."
"Aren't you the same?" Rukawa Sakura said coldly, "Aren't you the same?"
"Yo … You dare to mock me because of Tezuka?" Atobe obviously knew what Rukawa Sakura was talking about.
"I've known him since I was five. I only officially met you when I was fifteen.
Master, "Rukawa Sakura answered seriously.
It meant that it was clear who was close and who was distant.
"Tezuka and I are rivals in love!
By the way, are you going to dump me? "
"Don't you know that I've been wanting to get rid of you for a long time?" Rukawa Sakura complained.
Having a 'boyfriend' like you is really stressful ah!
It was so much easier to be with Yukimura!
In a way, Sir System, you've really surpassed Tezuka and Yukimura!
You can enjoy your narcissism now!
Atobe knocked heavily on Rukawa Sakura's forehead. "You heartless b * stard!"
Rukawa Sakura glared at Atobe but did not dare glare at Quan Hu.
It was expected that a tennis match would last five to six hours. The higher the level of the match, the higher the skill level of the two players, and the closer they were to each other, the longer the match would go on.
In a grand slam tournament, there were rarely weak players, especially those who were ranked at the top. They had fought many times, and they had both won and lost. With similar skill levels, one match would almost exhaust oneself to death. It was a difficult match, and stamina became more important here.
Since the score was 2: 2, following the best of five international rules, Tezuka and Roger still had to play a fifth match, and by then, four hours had passed.
Tezuka, who had just finished a match, sat in the resting chair. A white towel covered his head, hiding his expression.
Atobe looked at Tezuka with a serious expression.
Rukawa Sakura was worried. "Jingo …"
"This round is completely a battle of stamina. After four hours of fighting, both of them are already tired.
But I believe Tezuka's stamina is not that bad, right? "
Rukawa Sakura nodded. "Even though his stamina is not the best at Kunimitsu, all of his skills, including stamina, are well-balanced. With his personality, he must have increased his stamina training since he entered the professional ranks to make himself suitable for international competitions."
Atobe raised his brow. "You sure know him well."
"Do you think he will be careless?" Rukawa Sakura raised her brow as well.
"Don't be careless," the two said in unison.
Both Atobe and Rukawa Sakura laughed.
After this interruption, the two felt much better. They were no longer worried about the situation, even though they were mostly consoling each other.
In the last match, Tezuka really went berserk. The activation of Tezuka's Territory gave Roger a lot of pressure.
Even though it was not unbreakable, it did require some effort.
"We're just asking for trouble by worrying about this guy," Atobe said.
Rukawa Sakura smiled and sighed in relief.
"Hey, aren't you going to shout for him?" Atobe teased.
"It's already the last moment. If I don't shout now, it'll be too late."
Rukawa Sakura smiled but did not say anything.
"You're hopeless.
If you don't say it, how will a block of wood like Tezuka know about it?
No wonder you two can't get along, "Atobe said with condescension.
"He will say it." Rukawa Sakura stared at Tezuka's back. "But not now."
She smiled slightly.
He would say it.
They had already missed a lot of time.
It was not that she did not feel anything.
And that person was Tezuka Kunimitsu.
Therefore, she was willing to give it a try.
Since she could promise Seiichi Yukimura, then she could promise Tezuka Kunimitsu as well.
Compared to Yukimura … she thought. Because the person was Tezuka Kunimitsu, her heart was moved.
When the last sentence was said, the crowd went into a frenzy.
"Tezuka Kunimitsu!
Tezuka Kunimitsu!
Tezuka Kunimitsu!
… Jin Manguan!
Jin Manguan!
Jin Manguan!
… "
Because the score was fixed at 6: 5.
Tezuka Kunimitsu was in the lead.
Roger's whole body was submerged in the water.
Tezuka was not sweaty, but he looked like he had been soaked in water.
However, his coldness allowed him to maintain his handsome appearance.
"7: 5, Tezuka Kunimitsu wins!"
When the score of the last round was announced, the crowd cheered.
There were hugs and celebrations.
Roger lay on the ground, gasping for air, but there was a smile on his face.
A hand reached out to him.
Roger smiled and put his hand on it.
"Congratulations.
Jin Manguan. "
Tezuka nodded. "Thank you."
"Ha … I don't want to hear you say that again …"
Just like that, the US Open came to an end, but for Tezuka Kunimitsu, it was just the beginning.
He was about to turn eighteen, and he had just started his glorious journey. He was still a young man on the path to the US Open, and he still had a long way to go.
But for the current him, there was nothing more exciting than receiving a message from Rukawa Sakura. Even though it was obvious that this message was very expensive and had come at a high price.
In the VIP room, Atobe raised his brow at him. His face was full of mockery, but in the end, he still 'wished' him 'success. "
"Show me some beauty, Tezuka Kunimitsu." Atobe crossed his arms and looked at him with condescension.
After an intense match, even though Tezuka was exhausted and exhausted, he could not help but feel condescending toward Atobe.
The girl that he was chasing — what did that have to do with Atobe?
This man sure was arrogant no matter where he went. But he could not understand why Atobe would be so arrogant at a time like this.
Tezuka ignored him.
"Hmm?
You're ignoring me? "
Atobe narrowed his eyes. "Don't regret this, Tezuka Kunimitsu … someone told me to come here to deliver a message."
Atobe could not stop himself from feeling smug.
Just wait and see, once you grab hold of Rukawa Sakura, there will be many good shows waiting for you.
And it will be Tezuka Kunimitsu's show!
This man is no longer the same as before — a new Jin Manguan winner, and this young man is only seventeen!
Tezuka stared at Atobe, and his eyes said that he had given in.
"As my successor, you have to be more flashy!" Atobe gritted his teeth, exasperated at the man's failure to live up to his expectations.
Tezuka groaned.
Successor … he was not going to admit it!
After all, it was all fake!
Even if it was real … it did not matter!
He had already followed in Seiichi Yukimura's footsteps, so it was not that big of a deal …
"Now, remember to thank me after this!
Remember it in your heart, Tezuka Kunimitsu! "Atobe pointed at the mole at the corner of his eye." You don't look like an ungrateful person … "
"Atobe!"
Atobe's lips curled into a smile. "You've finally spoken?
Can't wait anymore?
Come and beg me. "
Tezuka shot out an ice ray to freeze Atobe to death.
"Atobe Jingo!" Tezuka exuded a chill.
"She's just waiting for you outside."
Atobe straightened his face and stopped after he had enough teasing. Tezuka Kunimitsu was not Rukawa Sakura, so he could continue teasing him. Otherwise, he would not be 'angry' like Rukawa Sakura but 'go berserk'.
When that happened, Atobe would not be able to be comforted like how he comforted Rukawa Sakura.
Hearing that, Tezuka dropped the towel and stood up.
"Hey, hey, at least put on a disguise!
A seventeen-year-old Jin Manguan! "
Tezuka was getting impatient.
Since Atobe wanted him to remember to thank him, then at least it meant … something …
Tezuka's mind was in a mess now. After the high-intensity finals, he had exhausted his mental and physical strength. Then he suddenly heard such news — it was really commendable that he could rely on his intuition to rationally grasp such a loophole!
However, even though Atobe had been making fun of him recently, he was still impressed by this calmness of his.
Tossing a jacket and a hat over, Atobe said softly, "Good luck, Tezuka Kunimitsu."
"Thank you." Tezuka bit on his lips and ran out.
Atobe looked at the door that he did not manage to close in time and smiled.
Finally, Tezuka Kunimitsu had this day.
Other than training, he finally had the chance to say 'thank you' to him!