Episode 44: Jack Knife



Momoshiro made a drastic comeback using his Jack Knife. Sengoku was surprised since he doesn't know anyone in the Jr. High circuit that could do a Jack Knife. Sengoku wasn't that impressed though, he knew that a normal person couldn't actually see the ball because of its very fast speed, but he knew about his talent in seeing fast-moving objects. He chased the ball and hit it dead-on, only to have his racket blown away by the strength of Momoshiro's Jack Knife. Only then, Sengoku seemed surprised and shocked. He felt that it's a very heavy and hard to hit ball, he couldn't believe that the player who's hitting those balls is currently suffering from a cramp!

The game went on, Momoshiro is still suffering severely from his cramp, he's already making his comeback! He even managed to hit a cord-ball that fell on Sengoku's court! Even luck is on his side now. Meanwhile, Sengoku's thinking profusely about what's he going to do. He just served his Kouho once again, which worried the Seigaku regulars since Momoshiro couldn't possibly return it! but they're mistaken again, Momoshiro DID manage to return it, even hit it with his jack knife, the only sot he could manage that could escape Sengoku's grasp. They played like this for a while, Momoshiro managing to overtake Sengoku in terms of points, it was now a matchpoint for Momoshiro. Sengoku was thinking that he couldn't lose like this, his pride as a National Jr. High player was on the line! He served another Kouho. It seemed that Momoshiro's on his limit already, but managed to counter it with his Jack Knife! Sengoku managed to hit the ball with his two-hand forehand, but it was in vain, his racket was blown away. Again. Momoshiro is the winner for Singles 3!

Sengoku managed to apologize to their coach, although he earned some earful because he lost to an injured person! Momoshiro was treated immediately for his cramp. Ryoma's match was coming up, Kawamura managed to get ahold of Ryoma and warned him never to go to the net since they don't know what Akutsu might do. It's now time for the match. Coach Banji told Dan to watch the game carefully since it might be the monumental match for him. Anyway, as Ryoma walked towards the net for the traditional face-to-face of the players, Akutsu remained on the sidelines with his Coach. Akutsu asked (or rather, told) Banji that all he could do on this match is to win. Banji just agreed with him and Akutsu walked towards Ryoma. Instead of shaking hands, Akutsu provoked Ryoma by swinging his racket right on front of Ryoma's face. He got reprimanded by the referee who in turn shut up after receiving Akutsu's glare. It was Ryoma's service game, he hit a normal serve then ran towards the net! It was serve and volley to the horror of Kawamura who warned him beforehand. Akutsu managed to hit the ball, but Ryoma hit a drop shot. Amazingly, Akutsu caught up to the ball and managed to hit it, it was a wrong move for him though, since Ryoma hit him with a Drive A, smack on Akutsu's face!Yamabuki players and Seigaku players were horrified. Although, Nanjiroh, just laughed at his own son's antics. Kikumaru was intently waiting for a brawl to happen much to the distate of Tezuka. Anyway, Akutsu really really REALLY got angry this time an glared at Ryoma for all his worth. Ryoma seemed unaffected by this, he just told Akutsu to never ever underestimate tennis again.