Charlotte 49er Invitational - September 28 - Charlotte, NC

Charlotte 49er Invitational 2013

The Charlotte 49ers men’s tennis program hosted their 2013 fall tennis invitational at the Halton-Wagner Tennis Complex, from September 27-29. I was able to catch the action on September 28. UNC Charlotte was joined by Gardner-Webb, Campbell and Richmond. The invite was staged similar to a spring season dual match format.

From the Niners tennis website - The 49ers won six singles matches and two doubles matches on the final day of the invitational. Forrest Edwards went 3-0 to capture the Flight Two singles title. Frances Pare went 3-0 to capture the Flight Seven singles title. Charlotte won five singles matches and two doubles matches on the first day of the invitational. On day two, Forrest Edwards, Jordi Massalle Ferrer and Francis Pare of UNCC won their respective singles matches.

View of the six left side courts at the Halton-Wagner Tennis Complex.

The six right side courts.

Previous four photos are action from the UNC Charlotte match versus Campbell. It was a great day for tennis outside.

View of the entrance to the tennis facility.

2013 U.S. Open - Day 5

U.S. Open 2013 - Day 5

The ball kids are ready to go as day 5 gets underway.

Mikhail Youzhny from Russia and Alexandr Dolgopolov from Ukraine at the net for the coin flip.

Youzhny gets ready to drive a forehand.

Dolgopolov with an overhead return.

Great seat along the fence on court 13.

Jeremy Chardy of France in good position for a forehand.

Julien Benneteau of France in action against Chardy.

Andreas Seppi of Italy gets ready for a backhand.

Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain works a point on Grandstand.

A beautiful sunset over the tennis center.

Martina Hingis of Switzerland and Mahesh Bhupathi of India warm up for their mixed doubles match on Court 4.

View of Arthur Ashe Stadium from court 5.

The Chrysler Building just down the street from our hotel.

2013 U.S. Open - Day 4

U.S. Open 2013 - Day 4

Instead of spending all day at the USTA BJK Tennis Center, we went to the night session. Rafael Nadal was the featured player.

View of the grounds from Arthur Ashe Stadium.

A great view of the action. Caroline Wozniacki was up first.

Wozniacki played a very steady match.

Rafael Nadal enters the stadium.

The coin flip.

Nadal lines up some returns.

Getting a little break.

The iconic Unisphere.

2013 U.S. Open - Day 3

U.S. Open 2013 - Day 3

Walking in the main entrance to the USTA BJK Tennis Center, you know it is going to be a great day.

It's hard to leave without picking up something that says "I was at the U.S. Open!"

Alexandr Dolgopolov of the Ukraine in action on a backcourt.

David Goffin of Belgium serves against Dolgopolov.

Xavier Malisse of Belgium has been on the tour for a number of years. He really played tough in his match against Andreas Seppi of Italy, before Seppi advanced.

Andreas Seppi lines up a forehand.

Benoit Paire of France during a changeover in his nighttime match.

2013 U.S. Open - Day 2

U.S. Open 2013 - Day 2

Maria Kirilenko of Russia in action on a backcourt.

Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia on practice court 5 warming up.

Dominica Cibulkova of Slovakia warming up with Hantuchova.

View of Arthur Ashe Stadium from practice court 5.

West Nott is a friend and a former Georgia Tech player now coaching with the USC Trojans women's team. He was at the Open serving as a USTA coach.

Sergiy Stakhovsky of the Ukraine in action against Jeremy Chardy of France.

Jeremy Chardy setting up for a backhand.

Nicolás Almagro of Spain walks off after losing in the first round.

Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan signing autographs after his victory over Almagro.