“Little Juan is playing really well. But the American is holding his ground too,” the umpire said. “It feels like they’re battling to the death, but they’re playing very fair, and haven’t questioned my call even once. Alright, gentlemen, time’s up!” he said in a louder tone, then turned back to Gabi. “Your cousin could not have found a better training partner. This is the best way to prepare for the US Open: training with a former champion. Strange that the American hasn’t offered him any suggestions yet. It’s an odd match at any rate, considering it’s just practice.”
“A practice match,” Gabi exhaled, then sat down somewhere near the umpire’s stand to watch the tie-break. She didn’t know what she was wanted more: for Juan to win this set, and hence the match, so Robert could finally rest,
