Now that I've been reborn, I have to play tennis!

Chapter 94 The French fans' antics couldn't stop their advance.

Although Meng Hao didn't say anything, he already had a general idea of ​​what was going on.

Do you think every athlete has a "Nike obsession"?

Maybe! But there are always exceptions!
In his view, the so-called "Nike complex" or "Adidas complex" can only trap athletes in their own self-destructive ways.

Just like some girls who look for foreign partners but lower their standards because of the filter, leading to tragic endings.

This kind of filter is a no-go.

Meng Hao turned to Song Yu and smiled, "Sister, which one do you think I should choose?"

Song Yu tilted his head and thought for a moment, then replied, "Why not unpack some products and support domestic brands!"

Meng Hao then asked, "Is that all?"

"Actually, I think the representatives from Nike and Adidas are a bit arrogant. Maybe they've gotten used to it!" Song Yu said after thinking for a moment.

Meng Hao chuckled and replied, "There's no rush! All three of them will stay to watch the Shanghai Masters anyway, so there will be plenty of opportunities in the future."

Having learned quite a bit about tennis, Song Yu said, "There are no more seeded players in the bottom half of the draw! Why don't you be bold and go for the finals?"

"The finals?" Meng Hao thought of the current draw and laughed, "Don't think that far ahead. Every win right now is a bonus!"

The Shanghai Masters has now determined its quarterfinal spots, with second seed Nadal and fourth seed Wawrinka both already eliminated.

At this point, there are no more seeded players in the entire lower half of the draw.

Netizens jokingly commented that the lower half of the bracket is now completely flooded.

Originally, the majority of fans were already very satisfied with Meng Hao's performance in the quarterfinals, but after seeing the quarterfinals draw, a bold idea suddenly came to their minds!
Why wouldn't I dare to think about the finals?
Nadal and Wawrinka are both gone, so it has to be the final!
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Fans commented: "It's the Masters final! Even if you lose, you can still hold a plate. That's an honor!"

……

"Of course the fans would dare to dream about it, after all, it's not like they're the ones playing the game!"

After returning to the hotel, Meng Hao calmly opened the system: "We're in the quarterfinals now, so we should be able to have three consecutive wins!"

This is the advantage of directly playing in ATP 1000 level events!
[Advanced to the quarterfinals of the tour!]

[Host has completed the process, as detected!]

Meng Hao then successfully obtained the sixth trial card for the [Djokovic 2023 US Open].

[Reached the quarterfinals of ATP 500 or higher tournaments!]

[Host has completed the process, as detected!]

Seventh trial card in hand!

Continue the mission!

[Reached the quarterfinals of an ATP 1000 tournament!]

[Host has completed the process, as detected!]

Meng Hao happily acquired his eighth trial card!
What's the next task?
[Entered the ATP World Rankings Top 100]

Although the real-time ranking is not the actual ranking, the system's standard is that as long as your real-time points do not fall out of the top 100 next week, you have completed the task.

Meng Hao only needs to win one more game to secure a place in the top 100.

He calmed down and carefully experienced the three experience cards, earnestly feeling Djokovic's almost supernatural skills at the end of his peak.

Especially in the final, he was facing a peak Messi who had just swept aside Akka in the semi-finals.

As a result, Djokovic decisively swept Messi 3-0.

but……

"I've experienced the Legendary Journey several times, so why is it always you, Mr. Mei, in the background?"

Meng then checked his various technical attributes.

Serve +1, reaching 89.

+1 on the forehand, reaching 90.

+3 at the net, reaching 78
Backhand +3, reaching 83
Steps +2, reaching 81
Tactics +2, reaching 80
Meng Hao's eyes flickered slightly, a look of excitement flashing across them. His forehand had finally broken through the 90 attribute value.

This will become his signature offensive weapon that allows him to dominate the tennis world.

In addition, a footwork attribute value of 81 is already quite outstanding in today's tennis world.

With everything in place, Meng Hao left the hotel with high spirits.

At the hotel lobby entrance, the special car arranged by the organizing committee had been waiting for quite some time.

……

8 PM, Center Stadium, second night session.

This is the session that the organizing committee arranged for Meng Hao.

This may also be the latest match Meng Hao has ever played in tennis.

Meng Hao's quarterfinal opponent is Simon from France, currently ranked 37th in the world.

This guy eliminated the fourth seed Wawrinka and the sixth seed Berdych in succession, which is the main reason why the bottom half of the draw was so unpredictable.

Of course, Meng Hao's elimination of 10th seed Dimitrov and 7th seed Nishikori Kei can be considered as his own contribution.

"Simon, one of the four representative players of the French tennis '85 golden generation, but with the lowest achievements, is considered the fourth."

The so-called French "Golden Generation of '85" refers to the fact that Monfils, Tsonga, Gasquet, and Simon were all born between 84 and 86.

Simon's highest world ranking was No. 6 in 2009, and to date, he has won 7 tour titles, all of which are ranked 250.

For many tennis stars, entering the world's top 10 rankings is not a difficult thing; the key is how to stay in that position.

Simon only maintained his position in the Top 10 for about six months, which is far inferior to the other three members of the French Class of '85.

His current goal is to get back into the top 30 so that he can be seeded at next year's Australian Open.

If Simon wins this game, he can return to the top 30, while if Meng Hao wins this game, he can enter the top 100.

Both sides were determined to win.

"This is the first time I've played against the French '85 golden generation' players!"

However, Meng Hao then chuckled and said, "This so-called golden generation is nothing more than a group of French male servants under the three giants."

His gaze seemed to intentionally drift towards the stands, where he spotted a veteran Spanish player named Lopez.

The guy sat in the chair, staring intently at the arena.

The winner of this match will face this person in the semifinals.

In the lower half of the flooded area, everyone has a chance.

Both Simon in front of them and Lopez in the stands want to go straight to the final.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Federer and Djokovic will likely clash in the semifinals, and they may well find a chance in the final.

The Masters finals, and even the championship, are something everyone envies.

"Don't think that far ahead, let's win this game first!"

Meng Hao snapped out of his thoughts, slowly bounced the tennis ball three times, and then gently tossed it into the air.

"Chinese kid, your good luck has run out!"

As a white French tennis player, he naturally carried a touch of arrogance.

This was the first time in his more than ten-year professional career that he had encountered a Chinese player on the tour. Normally, challenger and prospective tournaments should be their stage.

However, the moment the thought crossed his mind, the green tennis ball came hurtling towards him.

The ball was very fast, and even accelerated after bouncing.

bang~
Ouch~
Simon instantly grabbed his right wrist with his left hand.

The tennis ball bounced off and struck his right wrist precisely.

In that instant, he suddenly remembered that when he played against Roddick, he was hit on the wrist by Roddick's serve.

This is a situation that is common when the receiving position is forward.

At the same time, a gasp of surprise rippled through the audience.

The speed measurement screen at the scene showed that Meng Hao's serve just now reached a speed of 221 kilometers per hour.

This speed set a new personal record for the fastest serve in this year's Shanghai Masters, second only to Isner's 230 km/h among other players.

Meng Hao glanced at the other person indifferently, then raised the tennis ball with one hand to indicate: Can I continue serving?

Simon shook his wrist and then nodded to indicate that it was fine.

Without realizing it, he stepped back a few paces from his receiving position.

I did underestimate the power of my opponent's serve.

Meng Hao served again, the tennis ball flying towards the outer corner of the second court with strong sidespin.

Simon's body was almost thrown out of control, but the racket frame only touched the tennis ball before it flew towards the stands.

Meng Hao easily won the next two balls as well.

Then, he tossed the tennis ball from his pocket to the caddie and calmly walked to his seat.

In the CCTV5 studio, Zhang Sheng said excitedly, "Meng Hao is in excellent form! Look at his expression, he's very calm. I believe he has completely transformed for this Shanghai Masters."

"He has become a true tour-level player!"

Since Aunt Tong's rambling and nonsensical remarks in the last competition drew numerous complaints from viewers, Zhang Sheng has had to return to the competition.

Although he has a habit of opening champagne early, he is far more professional than Aunt Tong.

"Good luck! Such a good draw in the bottom half of the bracket is a rare opportunity!"

"Because you can't imagine playing in an ATP 1000 tournament, from the quarterfinals to the semifinals, without encountering any seeded players."

"Seize the opportunity!"

He also began to clench his hands tightly and mutter to himself.

As it turns out, Meng Hao was indeed in good form in this match.

Since defeating Kei Nishikori in the previous match, he played with ease in this game. Even in a deep round like the quarterfinals, he was very calm and did not feel any pressure.

In the fourth game, Meng Hao broke serve, which angered Simon so much that he threw his racket on the ground, drawing boos from the fans.

The first set was won 6-3, and with Meng Hao's dominant performance in his service games, it took no more than 40 minutes.

Just then, a familiar figure was spotted on the big screen – it was Novak Djokovic, eliciting cheers from the fans.

His game was the next one, which was also the last game of the night session, so he arrived at the stadium early to warm up.

"That Chinese kid won the first set? I wonder if the match will finish before 9:30?"

Djokovic stroked his chin, thinking to himself, "Otherwise, my match with Ferrer won't be over until the early hours of the morning."

Soon, the second set began.

Djokovic leaned against the wall, watching the match.

Simon, he knew him all too well.

One of the French male servants, Djokovic has already won eight consecutive matches against him.

He absolutely loves playing against French players!
Those were his loyal male servants.

But what about Chinese men's tennis? It seems they don't even have the qualifications to play against him!

"Hey, interesting kid!"

A deafening cheer erupted from the crowd as Meng Hao broke serve for the first time in the second set with a sudden backhand down-the-line shot.

Then, he clenched his fist towards the audience.

"That backhand looks like someone... no, I mean, it looks like my backhand! That sudden change of direction, it's exactly the same!" Djokovic's expression was incredibly interesting.

Did he train by watching my game highlights?
Meng Hao remained in control in the second match.

5 is better than 4!

The match quickly came to his serve for the win.

Meng Hao was about to serve when he suddenly frowned and looked towards the stands.

Someone is coughing, and the coughing is quite loud, which is clearly disturbing me.

Meng Hao's eyes were sharp; he locked onto a middle-aged white fan who was fat and bald.

"Referee? Someone is deliberately interfering with me. I need a fair playing environment!"

Meng Hao spread his hands and decisively put pressure on the referee.

At this moment, he went from questioning LeBron to understanding LeBron, and then to becoming LeBron.

Spreading your hands and putting pressure on the referee feels really good!
The referee immediately said in English, "Please be quiet!"

The bald, fat Frenchman saw Meng Hao pointing his racket at him and started cursing again, even giving him the middle finger.

Meng Hao shrugged again and continued, "The ATP's priority is to protect its players. He insulted me!"

"Don't worry, leave it to me!"

The referee nodded and finally conveyed the expulsion order to the security personnel on site.

Security personnel then escorted the disruptive French fan out of the stadium.

Beside the bald, fat Frenchman, there seemed to be a Chinese woman, who was excitedly shouting from behind, "What are you doing? You can't do this! Baby, baby! Don't hurt my baby!"

The surrounding fans were laughing loudly while taking pictures with their phones.

Meng Hao sneered and continued the match.

He may not know about other events, but he has the right to do so on the ATP Tour, which is also a way for the ATP to protect its players.

As Djokovic watched this scene, he was reminded of some of his own memories from his time playing in France.

"That's so French! Luckily there aren't many French spectators here. If the competition were in France, you'd be in real trouble!"

Meng Hao, also fueled by anger, aggressively won four consecutive points, forcefully taking the match point on his serve.

6 to 3 and 6 to 4!

He won in straight sets, defeating Simon and securing a spot in the semifinals.

In this flooded lower bracket, his goal is naturally to reach the finals.

In the stands, Djokovic glanced at the time and nodded in satisfaction.

"Not bad, it's not even 9:30 yet! But..." He glanced at Meng Hao's back again, thinking to himself, "With this Chinese kid's unwillingness to suffer losses, if he goes to France for a competition in the future, it's bound to be quite a show!"

……

(End of this chapter)