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Sep 6, 2015 1:56 AM
#1

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Nov 2011
131342
THIS IS AN ANIME ONLY DISCUSSION POST. DO NOT DISCUSS THE MANGA BEYOND THIS EPISODE.
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Nothing less expected in this battle. It had a style that I liked considering the mechanics behind the hitting angles of the ball.

Marou puts a lot of effort into this match and I give him credit for that.
Nabae of course is no push over. I'd say that this is a warm up before the grand final climax.
Stark700Sep 6, 2015 3:25 AM
Sep 6, 2015 4:12 AM
#2
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Feb 2013
255
Only just noticed that Nabae uses a one-handed backhand. I like it.
Sep 6, 2015 4:15 AM
#3
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Apr 2013
124
with only 2 episodes left is there even time to see rest?, it looks like they need to rush it now, which i dont like :(
Sep 6, 2015 4:41 AM
#4

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Aug 2010
10989
The way Nabae used the fact Ei-chan was in top form to gather the best data possible was awesome. This guy's amazing. Definitely showing why he's number1.

And exactly that made seeing his shocked face so fun XD Maruo was on a role like a BA! Sucks that it didn't last long but u gotta love how he just immediately got over the fact he's out of the zone and went back to usual.

The risky play Maruo's going for is insane though. Aim for the line :O
Sep 6, 2015 11:09 AM
#5

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Jan 2013
11047
Fantastic episode, it's been confirmed for 25 episodes. Ahhh, wanted it to go on indefinitely like Ace of the Diamond.
Sep 6, 2015 12:23 PM
#6
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Overkilled Red

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Aug 2013
7410
Maruo's change-of-pace strategy is great, but Nabae's counterattacks are even more so. I knew he wasn't just going to let Maruo take the first set so easily.

The match is turning out to be a really good one. Hopefully this'll get a S3.

Sep 6, 2015 1:02 PM
#7

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Aug 2013
111
I hope from the bottom of my heart that Maruo will win.. he deserves it!

Go Maruo! ~
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Sep 6, 2015 1:33 PM
#8
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Jul 2018
559028
Maruo's changing of pace strategy is nice.

Nabae is catching up to Maruo.
Sep 6, 2015 6:09 PM
#9

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Oct 2013
2433
Dang this mental battle is pretty interesting. Lol it will be even more interesting to see Ei-chan going for the lines instead of his usual imaginary squares
Sep 6, 2015 8:56 PM

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Jul 2011
4481
I love it! Maruo was awesome for that first half. Too bad he didn't finish the first set like that.

Nabae taking advantage of everything is great too. What an intense match.
Sep 7, 2015 2:28 AM

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Jan 2011
4266
I suspect the season will end with the result of this match. We'll have to wait for next season for the all-Japan (which is where the manga is currently), so I'm expecting a sequel can't happen before spring 2016.
Please don't feed the trolls!
In my next life I want to collide at the corner with the cute transfer student
carrying a piece of toast in her mouth
...rodac

Sep 7, 2015 4:22 AM

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Nov 2014
616
Match between two analytical players, nothing less was expected.
However, Marou seems in a hard position right now, Nabai has a counter for both flats and spin shots!
Sep 7, 2015 11:51 AM

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Oct 2014
2761
Nice episode, this match is so much more enjoyable to watch than the previous one with the dickhead opponent (can't remember his name)
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Sep 7, 2015 3:11 PM

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Jun 2013
4853
that was nice and kinda slow
Sep 7, 2015 3:19 PM

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Oct 2011
9447
Nabe is making a comeback OMG
Sep 7, 2015 8:20 PM

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Sep 2014
2454
The match is turning out to be a cracker! While it was obvious Nabae would retaliate in this episode, it was enjoyable nonetheless. I still get the feeling Maruo might lose to be honest. With only two more episodes left, let's see how this season ends.
Sep 8, 2015 10:49 AM

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Apr 2012
115
its going be a very close match. Dont think maruo is going to win this match he stared to strong and doubt he can get to that point again during the match even if he does nabae might be able to still stop him .
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Sep 9, 2015 9:50 AM
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Jul 2018
559028
Two highly analytical players exploiting patterns. I bet this match is decided by Nabae either losing his temper like he did in childhood or because he is such a princess when it comes to rackets. He is more experienced and better player overall than Maruo is by wide margin, so it has to be some rare weakness. Mangafags don't spoil my speculation here kthx. You already spoiled that Maruo wins and goes to AJJ damnit.
Sep 10, 2015 2:20 PM

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Apr 2014
355
nabae is shocked he can´t play well haha
go maruo you are a winner win the matches,win the girl....
Sep 11, 2015 8:22 PM

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Mar 2012
1917
Damn, Maruo went up a double break and even then, he's far from safe from taking the first set. The kickback from falling out of the zone/ideal state was nasty, basically surrendering one Maruo's service games. Time to see if his gutsy strategy will pull out this first set now.
Sep 13, 2015 7:53 AM

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Nov 2010
2047
Natsu's lucky date charm worked for Eichiiro to get ahead in the first set
The inner thoughts were strong here
Oct 5, 2015 9:50 PM

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Jul 2012
48259
Nabae is a beast. Damn.
Mar 4, 2016 4:01 AM

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Aug 2013
4150
what do you expect from the best in japan ? LOL.
Even luck from heavens helping Ei-chan and he's in a pinch.
Jun 5, 2016 3:50 AM

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Dec 2012
3006
Their analytical spirits are impressive. Nabae took advantage of the first points to analyze Maruo, this player is very impressive.
I'm eager to watch the end of the match.
Mar 25, 2018 11:30 PM

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Jun 2016
3391
Maruo has now felt first hand how easy it is to lose the zone. The second you think about winning, or the second you let something get to you it shatters. Because of that he had a bit there where he tried to redeem it and fell absolutely short. The ideal for any competitive sport is to be totally in the present, not thinking about winning, not fearing loss, but rather playing for the moment. Nabae's showing that it doesn't matter if you can have a burst like that, that it's the consistent player who doesn't rely on an inconsistent level of play who will show dominance, at least currently. The way Nabae used the information he gathered from Maruo playing at his peak to call out him "being anxious and going back to where previous success lay" was beautiful. That's the kind of meaningful read that you dream to be able to make.

We saw some insight on Maruo's natural mental strength while he was playing in the zone. He addressed the poor situations with "bad luck", "I won't be able to break every time", and "mistakes are bound to occur when playing offensive". He observes the problems, makes adjustments when possible, but stays in the present and doesn't let them hold him back or judge them harshly.

And so the now realistically playing Maruo relies on data, predictions, and pace changes all of which get attacked directly with mix ups and a direct attack on the "heart of his tennis". These two's matches are great.

I had expected Maruo to break and take the set after he gave the speech about going bold and instead he got destroyed. In his own words "when I think I have advantage I don't, and when I think I scored he hits it back". This is a wall to climb, as he hinted at something will have to change.
gfsdfgsdgsdfgsMar 25, 2018 11:34 PM
Jul 31, 2019 10:30 AM
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Apr 2016
13028
Ei-chan's superb streak broke, scent of victory hindered with his "the zone" cognition. Now he's relying on his neutral cognition. Nabae is just remarkable, dealing with Ei-chan's best moves like that, he is a real tennis genius, I'm excited to see what else he's going to pull. I assume the next two episodes will get very intense.
Nov 28, 2020 6:24 PM

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Jul 2017
6941
Maruo started off red hot and in the zone, but Nabae pulled it back really quickly in the first set itself. Nabae not only halted Maruo's early momentum and made him struggle for points after it, but studied his plays in game itself to go along with it. Hell, Maruo at times hits shots that should be good enough to get points out of but Nabae would counter it out of nowhere, or counter it stronger than anticipated and catch him off guard. Maruo might have started well but he truly remembered what made Nabae such a threat to him in the previous season and in this match too, and why he is the 1st seed overall.
Mar 23, 2022 12:18 AM

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Jul 2021
9350
One or the other will have a hard position, that's expected.

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It’s time to ditch the text file.
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