The ninth game went to forty-love before Holt succeeded in handling one of the sizzling serves that Amy put across.

Then he returned to the back of the court and Amy banged the ball into the net.
A double fault brought the score to 40-30, but on the next serve Amy again skimmed one over that Holt failed with and the games were 5-4.
"I hope he gets this," murmured Clint.
"Hope he doesn't," replied his neighbour.

"I want to see a deuce set." So, apparently, did Holt, but he was too anxious and his serves broke high and Amy killed two at the start.

Then came a rally with both boys racing up and down the court like mad and the white ball dodging back and forth over the net from one side to the other.

Holt finally secured the ace by dropping the ball just over the canvas.