Who would still play tennis after being reborn?

Chapter 161 Four Consecutive Wins in One Day

The stadium erupted in thunderous applause, with many spectators standing up to cheer for the shutout victory.

Gu Cheng and Yu Haoyang high-fived in celebration, sweat dripping from their chins and glistening under the lights.

Yu Haoyang chuckled and punched Gu Cheng on the shoulder: "This time I finally didn't just sit around on the field. I have to say, our teamwork was pretty good. But you still caught most of the balls. Anyway, I've improved a bit this time. I'm not just a sitting duck on the field anymore."

After saying that, Yu Haoyang burst into laughter.

You could tell he was very happy.

But thinking about it, it makes sense. When he played doubles with Gu Cheng before, he basically didn't have a chance to attack. It wasn't that he didn't want to, but the difference in strength was too great, so he became the target of the opponent's attack and the weakness of this doubles pair.

And today, he made his move.

Moreover, she even started working together with Gu Cheng.

This proves that Yu Haoyang's strength has greatly improved compared to before.

From Yu Haoyang's perspective, even though he knew the outcome of the match would be no surprise, he was still very happy.

"However, the opponent also made quite a few mistakes."

Gu Cheng smiled knowingly.

Marcos's arm was noticeably stiff during his final serve, lacking power.

Haoyang's serves and net play were excellent today, especially his forehand down the line in the third game, which completely disrupted their defensive rhythm. Doubles definitely requires synergy between two players, unlike singles where you can only rely on yourself.

Of course, this is also related to the fact that Gu Cheng did not use his ball skills.

It's not that I don't want to, it's just that I feel it's unnecessary.

With his current strength, coupled with Yu Haoyang's rapidly improving abilities, most doubles teams are no match for them.

At that moment, the Brazilian pair stood in front of the net, their faces somewhat pale.

Marcos extended his hand and said in broken English, "You guys played really well, especially your serve, Gu Cheng, it was like a cannonball."

Gu Cheng grasped his hand, feeling the dampness in the other's palm: "Thank you, your net play is also very threatening."

Lucas looked at Gu Cheng, his eyes no longer filled with the contempt he had shown before the match, but only with admiration: "We will definitely win the next set."

"You're welcome anytime," Yu Haoyang said with a smile.

As we stepped out of the indoor stadium, the Melbourne night breeze dispelled the heat of the match.

The distant city lights shone brightly, illuminating the national flag insignia on their shoulders. Yu Haoyang looked up at the sky, where stars peeked through the clouds: "Shall we continue at this pace for the second round?"

“Yes,” Gu Cheng nodded, his gaze fixed on the lights deep within the court, “Let’s play at this pace.”

In Melbourne Park at night, the shadows of the teenagers are elongated by the streetlights, and the zippers on their racket bags gleam faintly in the light.

This 6-0 doubles shutout was like a shooting star streaking across the night sky, a display of sharpness and the prelude to the next battle.

Further afield, their tennis journey has only just begun, unfolding under the starlight of the Southern Hemisphere, a path filled with challenges and glory.

The halftime break ended quickly.

After switching sides, the Brazilian pair implemented a tactical change.

As the referee announced the change of sides, the indoor stadium's air conditioning system emitted a slight hum, circulating and refreshing the hot, humid air.

Marcos rubbed his sweat-soaked neck with a towel, his headband now a dark brown from the sweat. He growled at Lucas, "We can't let them control the pace anymore! When I serve, you have to come to the net decisively and block Gu Cheng's passing lanes!"

Lucas crouched down to adjust his wristband, his gaze sweeping over the doubles pair of Gu Cheng and Yu Haoyang opposite him—Gu Cheng was lightly tapping his shoe with his racket, while Yu Haoyang was exchanging words with him in hushed tones, their expressions as calm as if they were conducting routine training. "Their teamwork isn't exactly seamless, but their skill level is far superior to ours."

Lucas wiped his face with his sleeve. "Gu Cheng's serve placement is like it's equipped with GPS, and Yu Haoyang's net play prediction is always half a step ahead."

Gu Cheng whispered a reminder: "Marcos might serve more inside shots in the next game, forcing me to hit my backhand. Pay attention to his net play after his serve; Lucas should follow suit."

He tapped the racket strings lightly with his fingers, his eyes fixed on Marcos's position. "When I receive the serve later, I might drop the ball short, so move to the net in advance."

Yu Haoyang nodded, his knuckles turning white as he clenched his fists: "Understood. His double fault just now clearly showed he was mentally broken. We'll continue to apply pressure in this game."

In the second set, Gu Cheng and Yu Haoyang served consistently and won their service games decisively, bringing the score to 1-0.

Then, Marcos and the other player served.

The Brazilian took a deep breath and tossed the ball to a lower height than usual, trying to disrupt the rhythm with a strong sidespin.

The tennis ball flew with a hiss towards Gu Cheng's backhand inside corner, a highly provocative landing point—specifically targeting the weakness of right-handed players.

Gu Cheng suddenly slid his left foot half a meter to the left, twisted his body like a whip, and crossed his racket at waist height to prepare for the game.

The moment the ball touches the racket face, the wrist suddenly flips outward. Instead of choosing a powerful counter-attack, the player uses a slice technique to glide the ball across the net and place it to the left side of the net.

The tennis ball bounced less than half a meter after landing. As Lucas sprinted towards the net from the baseline, the sole of his shoe scraped against the hard ground with a screeching sound. He managed to block the ball with the racket face, but it flew weakly towards the midcourt.

Yu Haoyang had already started his attack, pouncing towards the landing point like a cheetah. With a slight flick of his wrist, he delivered a forehand volley, sending the ball flying with a tricky diagonal line towards Marcos's feet.

"15-0!" A few scattered claps rang out from the stands as the referee announced the score.

Marcos's expression was rather grim.

It's a short play again! How can this guy always predict his tactics?

Lucas's internet was too slow just now!

He slammed his racket into the ground, deliberately speeding up the pace of his second serve, delivering a 180 km/h outside-corner flat shot aimed directly at Yu Haoyang's backhand—he wanted to bypass Gu Cheng, the "receiving monster."

Yu Haoyang was prepared and returned the ball to the middle with a backhand slice. Gu Cheng quickly pressed forward from the baseline and completed a forehand volley the moment the ball bounced up. The return ball grazed the doubles sideline and landed in bounds.

Marcos' knee slammed heavily into the ground as he made the save, making a dull thud. "30-0!"

On the third point, Marcos went all in, serving the fastest serve of the match – an inside ace at 195 km/h.

He clenched his fist and roared, seemingly trying to vent his stress. Gu Cheng stood there, watching the scoreboard tick, and shrugged at Yu Haoyang beside him: "The speed is good, but the angle is a bit off."

Yu Haoyang responded: "He will definitely try to do the same thing again on the next ball. I will stand closer to receive the serve, and you should cover for me."

He adjusted his position, his feet almost touching the front edge of the baseline.

Marcos' fourth serve was indeed aimed at the inside corner again, but with slightly less power. Yu Haoyang swung his racket to meet the ball, delivering a powerful forehand smash with strong topspin. The ball grazed the net and flew towards the right side of Lucas's defense. The Brazilian lunged to save the ball, deflecting it high into the air with his racket face. Gu Cheng stepped back two paces and, as the ball descended to shoulder height, delivered a powerful overhead smash, sending the ball crashing into the court like a cannonball.

"40-15, break point!" Before the umpire could finish speaking, Marcos' fifth serve went straight into the net.

When Gu Cheng and Yu Haoyang high-fived, a fleeting look of despair could be seen in each other's eyes.

Gu Cheng stood on the baseline, bounced the ball three times in his palm, and glanced over Lucas's position and Marcos's covering area.

He suddenly changed his ball-throwing habit, throwing the ball to his left side and leaning back into a perfect bow shape.

The moment the racket was swung, the light cast a silver afterimage on the strings, and the tennis ball flew towards Lucas's backhand with a strong external spin at a speed of over 200 kilometers per hour.

The Brazilian blocked the ball with his backhand, greatly reducing its speed, and it flew towards the midfield.

Yu Haoyang had already started his run, intercepting the ball before it bounced, returning it just wide of the net and landing in a corner inaccessible to Marcos. "15-0!"

"Watch out, his second serve might go straight!" Gu Cheng warned in a low voice as he walked toward the service line.

On the second serve, he deliberately lowered his toss, delivering a seemingly weak slice serve that suddenly spun outwards after landing. Lucas misjudged the shot and returned it into the net. "30-0!"

Lucas cursed.

Gu Cheng's serve is so varied, I never expected that slice shot just now!
“Marcos, say something!” He turned to look at his partner at the baseline, Marcos, who was covering his face with a towel and his shoulders were trembling slightly.

On the third ball, Gu Cheng delivered the first "moon ace" of the match—the ball soared high over Lucas's head, bounced more than two meters after landing, and the Brazilian could only watch helplessly.

"40-0!"

Yu Haoyang made an "OK" sign at the net, and Gu Cheng nodded in response. The fourth serve was another direct hit to Lucas's backhand, and the Brazilian's return went out of bounds.

"Game! Gu Cheng/Yu Haoyang, 3-0!" Yu Haoyang ran to the baseline and high-fived Gu Cheng; their hands collided with a crisp sound.

"That high ace you just hit was so brutal," Yu Haoyang said with a laugh. "Lucas almost broke his neck from looking up like that."

“His position is too far forward, so we can take advantage of that.” Gu Cheng wiped his sweat and looked at the Brazilian pair. “Their stamina has dropped significantly. Marcos’s knee hit the ground when he saved the ball, so his movement will be affected.”

The match continued, and it was Yu Haoyang's turn to serve. He adjusted his grip and delivered a precise serve down the middle.

Marcos received the serve to Yu Haoyang's forehand side, who turned sideways and hit a forehand smash with strong topspin, the ball heading straight for Lucas's left sideline defense.

Lucas slid sideways, barely managing to touch the ball with his racket, and blocked it towards the net.

Gu Cheng pressed forward from the baseline, executing a backhand volley the instant the ball bounced, the return grazing the doubles sideline and landing in bounds. Marcos couldn't reach it and collapsed to his knees. "15-0!"

"Watch out, they might double-volley at the net!" Gu Cheng shouted, moving towards the net as he did so. On the second point, Yu Haoyang served an outside serve, Marcos returned the ball to the middle, and Lucas suddenly sprinted down from the net, attempting a volley to score.

Yu Haoyang shouted, "I'll do it!"

A forehand smash sent the ball flying under Lucas's arm, heading straight for his backcourt. As the Brazilian looked back, Gu Cheng was already positioned at the net, watching the ball land steadily. "30-0!"

Marcos roared, "Lucas! You charged too aggressively! Defense! Focus on defense!"

He slammed his racket into the ground, sweat dripping onto the hard surface and spreading out dark marks.

On the third point, Yu Haoyang deliberately served a slow inside ball, which Marcos received to Gu Cheng's backhand. Neither player opted for a powerful attack, instead using a slice return to the net. Lucas's volley was unsteady, and the ball bounced out of bounds. "40-0!"

At match point, Yu Haoyang delivered the most difficult serve of the match—a flat shot to the outside corner at 185 km/h, which bounced off the court. Marcos missed his swing, staggered back two steps, and gasped for breath with his hands on his knees.

"Game! 5-0!" Yu Haoyang clenched his fist and roared. Gu Cheng walked over and patted him on the back: "That passing shot was too tricky. Lucas's face turned green."

“I learned it from you,” Yu Haoyang said with a smile, wiping his sweat. “I could tell he wanted to take a gamble when he rushed online just now.”

In the sixth game, the Brazilian visibly stumbled when serving, his knee pain preventing him from generating full power. His first serve was a 160 km/h shot down the middle, something previously unthinkable.

Gu Cheng did not choose to attack, but instead used a backhand slice to return the ball to the net. Lucas intercepted the ball before it hit the ground and returned it to Yu Haoyang's backhand side.

Yu Haoyang hit a backhand shot down the line, and the ball grazed the sideline and landed in bounds.

"15-0!"

"Marcos, you have to hold on!" Lucas shouted in Portuguese. "We can't be shut out!"

On the second ball, Marcos attempted to serve to the outside corner, but lacked power. Gu Cheng's forehand smash passed through the gap between Marcos and Lucas.

"30-0!"

The Brazilian duo's defensive formation showed obvious weaknesses, with the "central corridor" between them completely exposed.

Gu Cheng squinted. Lucas was alone at the net, struggling to hold his own. He gestured to Yu Haoyang to pay attention to the middle lane.

Marcos' serve went into the net again on the third point.

"40-0, break point!"

It's actually match point.

murmurs arose from the stands, with some starting a countdown: "Almost there, almost there, the last goal will seal the victory!"

With match point approaching, Marcos served a weak inside ball, which Gu Cheng countered with a forehand down the middle, the ball flying straight through the gap between the two players. Lucas instinctively reached out to block, but only managed to grab air; the sound of the tennis ball hitting the paddle was clearly audible.

"Game, Set and Match! Gu Cheng/Yu Haoyang, 6-0, 6-0!" The referee's voice echoed throughout the stadium through the microphone, and thunderous applause and cheers erupted from the stands, with flashlights lighting up the sky as if it were daytime.

Marcos slumped into a chair on the sidelines, completely covering his head with a towel, while Lucas stood at the net, staring blankly at the ground.

Lucas muttered to himself, "Why...why can't we even get a single point..." He watched Gu Cheng's agile movements at the net, as if he saw an insurmountable barrier.

Gu Cheng and Yu Haoyang high-fived each other in front of the net, both with relieved smiles on their faces.

The Brazilian pair slowly walked to the net. Marcos' knee was still throbbing. He reached out first, his voice a little hoarse: "Congratulations, this is the most... unforgettable match I've ever played."

Gu Cheng grasped his hand and could feel the other man trembling: "Your fighting spirit is very strong. Marcos, your serve is actually very threatening."

Lucas looked at Gu Cheng with a complicated expression: "I've never seen a serve like yours before. Every shot seems to be aimed at the target in advance."

"Just lucky." Gu Cheng smiled and stepped aside to let Yu Haoyang shake hands with them. "I hope to see you in even better form next time we face each other."

As the two walked out of the indoor golf course carrying their golf bags, the Melbourne night sky was already growing brighter.

(End of this chapter)