The Prince of Tennis Episode 5 Recap
> The Prince of Tennis Recap
In the previous match, Yuqing Middle School emerged victorious against Yuhang, securing their advancement. However, the victory was bittersweet for Qiao Chen and Lu Xia, whose performance in doubles was subpar, feeling like a hindrance to the team. Anko approached Qiao Chen, suggesting he no longer play doubles. Yuqing's next formidable opponent was set to be Yufeng Middle School. Before the highly anticipated match, Coach Qi Na disciplined Qiao Chen and Lu Xia for their previous performance, benching them.
Meanwhile, Xiao Sha delved into the mystery of Yufeng Middle School's withdrawal from last year's tournament. She discovered that a conflict between a player, who is now Yufeng's captain Xu Ziping, and a referee (or the former coach, depending on the account) led to the team's pull-out. Xu Ziping later revealed to Xiao Sha that the previous coach and senior players at Yufeng had suppressed talented junior players, prompting him to fight the coach.
This incident, while disruptive, ultimately gave him the chance to rebuild the tennis team, making victory in this tournament crucial for their survival. On the day of the match, an air of tension filled the venue, though Lu Xia remained unusually calm. Qiao Chen, despite being a substitute, attempted to save face with Anko by claiming he was playing singles, only to be comically exposed by a public announcement preparing Zhang Baiyang for third singles.
The first match of the day was a doubles showdown featuring Zhuo Zhi and He Xinglong for Yuqing. Yufeng's captain, Xu Ziping, exuded an air of arrogance, initially showing little interest in the ongoing game. Yufeng's strength quickly became apparent, putting Zhuo Zhi and He Xinglong under immense pressure. Zhuo Zhi unleashed his signature move, "Swallow Returns to Nest," dramatically turning the tide in Yuqing's favor. However, their opponents were equally formidable.
Shi Tienan, a Yufeng player, unleashed a powerful "Wave Ball," a move that Xu Ziping had initially cautioned against due to Shi Tienan's unhealed old injury, but he ultimately urged him to make it count. As Zhuo Zhi hesitated, assessing the dangerous shot, He Xinglong bravely stepped forward, intercepted the "Wave Ball," and returned it with such force that his racket strings snapped. Yuqing narrowly secured the win for the point, but He Xinglong's hand was injured in the process.
Concerned for his teammate, Zhuo Zhi made the difficult decision to forfeit the match, trusting that their remaining teammates would carry them to victory. He Xinglong was then sent to the hospital for his injury. Next up for Yuqing's doubles was the confident duo of Chi Dayong and Tang Jiale, often referred to as Yuqing's "Golden Duo." They secured another win for Yuqing. Despite the loss, Xu Ziping displayed admirable leadership, praising his team for their efforts.
Coach Qi was particularly impressed by Xu Ziping's ability to inspire his players. During a break, Zhang Baiyang and Lu Xia encountered Yufeng's Shen Weiming and Sima Yiwu, who were openly discussing Zhang Baiyang in a dismissive manner. Incensed, Lu Xia intervened, disrupting their practice balls and declaring that they were still far from matching Yuqing's skill, effectively defending Zhang Baiyang. The third match was a singles contest between Zhang Baiyang and Shen Weiming.
Shen Weiming, known for his incredible speed, quickly gained the upper hand, dissecting Zhang Baiyang's "Snake Ball" technique and pushing him to exhaustion. At one point, in a moment of unconscious brilliance, Zhang Baiyang unleashed a "Snake Ball" that astonishingly wrapped around the entire court, rendering it unreturnable. However, Shen Weiming countered by increasing his already rapid ball speed, maintaining his lead in the first half.
During the mid-match break, Coach Qi admonished Zhang Baiyang, reminding him not to solely rely on his "Snake Ball" and to utilize his full range of skills. Recalling a previous defeat by Lu Xia, Zhang Baiyang had rigorously trained with Yan Zhiming to build unparalleled stamina. In the second half, he brought his enhanced physical endurance and diversified techniques to bear, steadily closing the score gap and pushing towards match point. Ultimately, Yuqing Middle School won the match against Yufeng Middle School with two doubles victories and three singles victories, ensuring their direct advancement in the tournament.
