In a thrilling exhibition match at the iconic Madison Square Garden, Carlos Alcaraz showcased his exceptional talent by defeating Ben Shelton in a gripping contest. The event, part of the Garden Cup, saw Alcaraz come back from a set down to win 4-6, 6-2, 7-4.
The match began with Shelton taking an early lead, winning the first set 6-4. Alcaraz struggled initially, committing several unforced errors and facing Shelton’s powerful serves. However, the Spaniard quickly regrouped, displaying his characteristic resilience and determination.
In the second set, Alcaraz dominated, using his superior court coverage and precise shot-making to turn the tide in his favor. He moved Shelton around the court with a series of powerful groundstrokes, ultimately winning the set 6-2.
The final set was a nail-biter, with both players exchanging points and showcasing their skills. Alcaraz managed to break Shelton’s serve and held his nerve to win the decisive tie-break 7-4. The match was filled with light-hearted moments, including Alcaraz humorously helping Shelton up after a fall, much to the delight of the crowd.
The exhibition match was not just about the competition but also about the camaraderie between the players. Alcaraz and Shelton shared laughs and engaged in friendly banter throughout the match, making it an entertaining spectacle for the nearly 19,700 spectators in attendance.
Alcaraz’s victory in the Garden Cup adds another feather to his cap, solidifying his status as one of the top players in the world. The exhibition match was a testament to his skill, sportsmanship, and ability to entertain the crowd with his dynamic style of play.
Carlos Alcaraz in 2024
Now ranked no.3, Carlos played his last match on the 19th of November when he overcame world no.40 Tallon Griekspoor 7-6(0) 6-3 in the Rubber 2 of the Davis Cup (draw).
Until now, during this year the Spaniard achieved a compiled 54-13 match record. Carlos has won 4 titles in 2024 in Indian Wells, French Open, Wimbledon and Beijing. Alcaraz got to the final in Paris.
Ben Shelton in 2024
Currently ranked no.21, Shelton played his last match on the 21st of November when he lost to world no.77 Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-1 4-6 7-6(14) in the Rubber 1 of the Davis Cup (draw).
This year the American has achieved a composed 42-26 match record. This year, the American won 1 title in Houston. The American got to the final in Basel.
Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton played each other just 2 times. Their current head to head is 2-0 for Alcaraz.