Chapter 9
“Our first finalist is a newcomer to this tournament, ranked sixty-seventh in the world. From Italy—Vincenzo Monetti!”
Polite clapping echoed throughout the arena. A stately tall guy walked through the courtside entrance, his face a blur from this distance. The LCD screen hanging above the court zoomed in closely to reveal a baby-faced youngster. According to articles I had read yesterday, he was eighteen years old. A few whistles came from a corner of the audience waving Italian flags with matching painted flags on their cheeks.
“And our second finalist, and no doubt home-crowd favourite, ranked twenty-fourth in the world. I give you—from Australia—Aiden Andale!”
Deafening cheers erupted over the arena. My gaze inevitably locked onto Aiden as he strolled out through the same
