Tennis returns to MSG after six years with the Garden Cup
The world's largest sports stadium, Madison Square Garden, hosts the men's and women's showpiece presented by the Legends Team Cup. Each match consisted of three sets, deciding if necessary, a 7– tiebreak point. To speed up the process, ad-free points are used, with the recipient choosing where to receive them.
The Garden Cup, a sold-out crowd pleaser, runs on energy, variety, and silliness. The women's game featured two top-10 American stars: Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro.
Pegula ranked #7 and from Buffalo, New York had a great season defending his title in WTA 1000 event in Toronto and reached his first grand slam final In the US Open it. Emma Navarro a native New Yorker, won her first title in Hobart earlier in the season and cracked the top ten in the #.8 following his incredible run in the In the US Turn on the semis. They met once on Tour at the Miami Open where Pegula won back to back.
Navarro won the toss and elected to serve. He faced three break points and dropped the serve following three unforced errors. Pegula made 4/7 he started to serve but returned the break with a volley that was rained out.
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Navarro smashed an ace wide and ripped a backhand down the line to get on the board when Pegula missed. 3/4 first worship to drop worship. Navarro faced a break point with a forehand at the net and dropped another serve.
Pegula made 2/4 the first time he worships and he joins a break in love 3-3. Navarro was close to flawless in defense and it paid dividends as he held on 4-3 following a deuce.
Freshman Pegula hit his first ace and held to love to level while Navarro hit two winners including his second ace to hold at love. Pegula made it a trifecta with three straight winners and another love goal 5-5.
The tiebreak appeared imminent as Navarro entered the line. Although he hit the lead in the line, he dropped serve with his first double fault. Pegula worked on the setup 6-5 but he returned the break with three expensive forehands.
The crowd was full as Navarro served first in the breaker. Navarro led 4-2 when they change ends and reach a set point 6-4 but Pegula refused to agree. He measured himself 6-6 with a stunning forehand down the line but two unforced errors from that side cost him the set.
Pegula served for the first time in the second and although he faced a break point, he used a backhand, and released a shot to secure the game. Navarro hit two winners including another ace but left when he hit a forehand.
Pegula opened the third with a backhand cross but three unforced errors including a double cost him the match. New-ball Navarro opened up with a drop back shot and tied the break with a stunning forehand down the line. 2-2.
As both continued to hit, Pegula hit two winning volleys but it was in vain as she dropped the serve following two outstanding winners from her opponent.
Navarro opened the sixth with a backhand pass down-the-line and easily held on 15 putting together a break while Pegula did 3/5 he first served and was caught 15 for 3-4. Navarro playing a high-risk game, cut his lead with a spectacular run up front down the line pass.
Pegula, who was still in the game, faced 0-30 but fought until he caught it 4-5. Navarro served the game but faced three break points and forfeited when Pegula broke the game.
Pegula faced 0-40 as the errors continued to appear and got the break back when Navarro hit an overhead kick. Charleston, SC The resident again worked on the game, and this time with new balls. He quickly reached match point three times but dropped the next two points before winning the game, setting up the match 7-5.
It was a very entertaining and exciting match between the two WTA top quality strikers and movers. Although there were courtside screams and beaming smiles throughout the show, the women played with a sense of urgency and a desire to win.
The men, however, took it to another level and I'm not sure the crowd was packed. Although reasonably priced tickets were available, many paid several thousand dollars to see the world #3 Carlos Alcaraz fights the American southpaw, Ben Shelton.
Alcaraz is twenty-one years old and currently ranked #3has already reached number one and won four grand slams. Shelton is one year old, he is 2022 The NCAA world champion #21. In 2023 until he came to semi In the US Open, won his first title in Tokyo, and his second this past spring in Houston. Alcaraz won both tour-level meetings – both on hard courts.
Shelton served first and held to love while Alcaraz held 30 level. The American hit an ace off the tee and held on with ease 15 while the Spaniard served up two unforced errors including a double fault for dropping serve.
Shelton opened with two straight faults and despite facing deuce, rallied for the break 3-1. Alcaraz, energized by the passionate crowd, hit his first ace and easily held on to it 15 for 2-4. Shelton served two consecutive unforced errors, three in total, and dropped serve after Alcaraz landed a backhand volley winner.
The reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion crushed a forehand down the line and held to love to clinch the break. Shelton hit two more winners including another ace to take the lead 5-4. Alcaraz, who is working to stay in the set, opened with a double fault and conceded following two consecutive nets.
Shelton had momentum and a few unforced errors. It looked like America was going to sweep straight. Old world #1 However, he had other ideas. Shelton worked the first of the second and a tweener hit well and inside-forward, caught 30.
Alcaraz held on to 30 going level despite giving up another double fault. The American upped the ante with two straight winners to hold to love. Alcaraz hit another ace and with a monster served up the tee, which was targeted 2-2.
The fifth game began with a dramatic cat-and-mouse exchange with another winning tweener and a volley. With a sudden appearance, a “fan” entered the court on Shelton's side and “played” the next point! Soon after, the American made a double offer and was rejected.
Alcaraz is done 3/4 he first worships and composes a break in love. Shelton, despite facing a break point, got back to business with four impressive wins including a cross-court run into the game zone. Alcaraz is done 6/6 first activates and closes the set 6-2 when Shelton hit a forehand.
A difference of seven points will decide the game. Shelton hit an ace to level 2-2 but Alcaraz won the next three points. The shenanigans continued as the two “fans” took to the court and “played” the point. Why this point was given to Alcaraz will be discussed. The Spaniard would go on to win the breaker 7-4 when Shelton was cooked he came back.
While there were plenty of jaw-dropping points, amazing court coverage, and amazing shots, I'm not a fan of fan antics! If that's your cup of tea promote it as a pro-am or charity event.
People pay top dollar for exhibition games and the city was hungry for this double bill show. Diehard tennis devotees have waited years to watch professional tennis at the Garden. If I had paid thousands of dollars for this event, I don't think I would be happy with the “fans” taking over the field to “hit” the balls. There is a time and a place for that – this, however, was not.
