NOTE: An MRI later reveals that she had suffered a severely (Grade 3) ruptured hip flexor and will be out for three months!

Losing her practice partner has also impacted Angelyna Tatsuko's progress, but steady singles play and a new doubles partner helps her rally for a 4-game run to earn a 7-5 comeback victory against a pair that were much higher ranked singles players. The result catapults her to a career-best prefecture Kanto ranking of #2 singles and #1 doubles in the 14U division.

Then, against the express instructions of her parents and Christyna Seiko's own request to withdraw, she is forced to undergo a 'field test' of athletic exercises under threat of being expelled from the tournament (while at least two boys are able to withdraw from it). Against her father's plea to only walk through the trials, pride pushes her and she consequently injures her knees. Parental intervention is strongly rejected in all activities until the coaches' misconduct and concealment of the head trainer's arranged medical appointments are discovered.

On court, Christyna Seiko opens against Kyushu's two-time finalist and experienced grass court player, which brings additional attention from locals to her match. Obviously hurting, she adapts quickly to the grass and the opening set becomes an epic contest with long rallies. By 3:05 in the highlights, she staggers to even stand, but still manages to wear out her stronger opponent, 6-4. However, an extended set break for the 102° F (39° C) conditions allows her opponent to recover as her injured legs tighten up to painfully lose the 2nd set. She regroups to match her opponent in the 3rd set until she can barely move in an inspirational effort that goes 2 1/2 hours.

Unable to walk, she withdraws from the next day's doubles and receives medical treatment off-site. Aware of the national significance and it being the only grass court event in Japan, the doctor clears her to play her next match against the #1 girl from Fukushima. With her mobility badly compromised and often staggering to stand in the scorching heat (4:06 mark), she falls behind 1-4 before fighting to take a 5-4 lead! But nearly collapsing again as her legs fail her, the tournament trainer stops the match for a TKO.

Angelyna Tatsuko also faints as a volunteer and Eryna Ayako is removed from the beginner's tennis clinic after only 15 minutes due to the record heat conditions.

*In Japan, Mumps is not a required vaccine to children as in the US, which was not known beforehand to their American father, who was surprised by the critical setback at a key time in their tennis tournament schedule.

*In Japan, Mumps is not a required vaccine to children as in the US, which was not known beforehand to their American father, who was surprised by the critical setback at a key time in their tennis tournament schedule.

*In Japan, Mumps is not a required vaccine to children as in the US, which was not known beforehand to their American father, who was surprised by the critical setback at a key time in their tennis tournament schedule.

On day 2, after being just off at the start, Christyna Seiko gets hot and uses a 3-game run to turn the momentum into a 5-4 lead. However, just as she seems to have taken control, she turns an ankle and becomes impatient trying to finish points quickly (still needs to learn how to take a medical time-out for treatment rather than giving away the victory). Ultimately, the 6-8 loss leaves her one round short of qualifying for the All-Japan Elementary School National Championships.