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  • February 11, 2025
Alcaraz stunned by inspired Tiafoe at Charlotte Invitational

Alcaraz stunned by inspired Tiafoe at Charlotte Invitational

Carlos Alcaraz played his second event in three days, this time losing to an inspired Frances Tiafoe at the Charlotte Invitational.

Before flying to Charlotte, Alcaraz was in New York, where he competed in The Garden Cup. He defeated Ben Shelton at Madison Square Garden, and he wanted to upset another American at the Charlotte Invitational.

Before the match, the two enjoyed good banter during several interviews and press conferences as they share a very good relationship away from the tennis courts.

On the courts, they are both great entertainers, and it was a joy to have them on the court at the same time in front of the crowd of 16,200 in Charlotte.

But before the two ATP players took the court, it was time for the women’s match of the Charlotte Invitational, as Sloane Stephens took on Madison Keys in a rematch of their 2017 US Open final. Stephens went on to win 6-3 , 6-0.

This time, Keys won more games in the match after seven games had been played, as she led 4-3, but faced a break point as her opponent threatened to break back.

A spectacular backhand down-the-line winner allowed her to save the set, but it wasn’t enough to seal the opening set as at 5-4 Stephens worked her way to three consecutive break points and broke her opponent’s set. serve to make it 5-5.

Ultimately, Keys was the better player in the remainder of the first set and won it 7-5. She started the second set by breaking Stephens’ serve and led 1-0 early.

Keys was already leading 3-2, but at deuce Stephens pulled an ace from her sleeve. She invited a ball girl to join the play, and since the ball girl was able to win the rally against Keys, Stephens had a breaking point.

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Unfortunately for Stephens, that wasn’t enough to turn the match around as Keys remained the better player and ultimately won the match 7-5, 6-3.

Then men went to court. Tiafoe had an electric start to the match and led early on 1-0 and 40-0, but the scoreboard still read 4-4 after eight games played.

Alcaraz managed to seal that opening set, winning it 7-5, with plenty of entertaining rallies for tennis fans, including some tweeners and armpit serves.

In the second set, even some celebrities like Andy Dalton, a quarterback for the Carolina Panthers, and former Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith Sr., took to the court to challenge Alcaraz.

Tiafoe won the entertaining second set 6-1 and the match was decided in a super tiebreak. Alcaraz also had to decide his match against Shelton in the third set, but this time he was on the losing side, as Tiafoe won the match 5-7, 6-1, 11-9.

After the game, both were in very good spirits, and Tiafoe was especially excited about the packed arena, where Charlotte Hornets games normally take place.

“It’s nice to get rid of this guy. It’s about time he lost a match. It was unbelievable, I hope you enjoyed it. Carlos and I tried to put on a show. 16,000 people came to see me , nobody cares about Carlos (laughter).”

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