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Rediff.com  » Sports » PHOTOS: Famous faces at Flushing Meadows
This article was first published 13 years ago

PHOTOS: Famous faces at Flushing Meadows

Last updated on: September 8, 2011 09:16 IST

Image: American pop, rock singer-songwriter and pianist Greyson Chance performs at the opening night of the US Open
Photographs: Reuters

The US Open, the last Grand Slam of the year, always has singers, actors, former tennis champions and other celebrities come to watch the action. Rediff.com gives you a peek at those famous faces who graced Flushing Meadows this year.

American pop-rock singer, songwriter and pianist Greyson Chance, 14, performed at the opening ceremony of the US Open on August 29.

Chance's debut album Hold On 'til the Night broke records when it was released last month.

Following the performance, reigning Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova was knocked out in the first round following a shocking 7-6, 6-3 loss to by Romanian Alexandra Dulgheru.

Actors Shea Whigham and Steve Buscemi sign a momento

Image: Shea Whigham and Steve Buscemi smile before signing a Moet and Chandon Champagne bottle
Photographs: Getty Images

American actors Shea Whigham and Steve Buscemi signed a Moet & Chandon champagne bottle at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

The stars from Boardwalk Empire TV show later attended the match between Roger Federer and Dudi Sela, where the former World No 1 demolished the Israeli 6-3, 6-2, 6-2, in just 77 minutes.

Adrian Grenier enjoys Djokovic taming Berlocq

Image: American actor Adrian Grenier watches Novak Djokovic and Carlos Berlocq in action
Photographs: Getty Images

American actor Adrian Grenier was there to watch the men's second round match between world No.1 Novak Djokovic and Carlos Berlocq of Argentina.

The Devil Wears Prada and Entourage star witnessed Djokovic maul his Argentine opponent 6-0, 6-0, 6-2.

Navratilova makes her presence felt

Image: Getty Images

Former champion Martina Navratilova was another famous face in the stands.

Navratilova watched the matches on a day when Roger Federer and Serena Williams both swept into the third round.

Veteran singer Bennett makes it to the Open

Image: Jazz musician Tony Bennett attends the US Open on Day 2
Photographs: Getty Images

Legendary Jazz musician Tony Bennett also graced the courts on Day 2. The veteran American musician was feted by the US Tennis Association on the opening night for his longstanding career.

He later autographed a special edition of sponsor's Moet & Chandon champagne, which was auctioned off for charity at a reception.

Philbin watches Roddick maul Russell

Image: Regis Philbin and his wife Joy
Photographs: Getty Images

American media personality, actor and singer Regis Philbin and his wife Joy were present to watch Andy Roddick playing fellow-American Michael Russell.

Roddick advanced to the second round after defeating Russell 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 7-5.

Garnett witnesses Fish's fall

Image: Kevin Garnett and his wife Brandi watch the match between Joe-Wilfed Tsonga and Mardy Fish
Photographs: Reuters

Boston Celtics's NBA basketball player Kevin Garnett and his wife Brandi were also seen cheering on their favourite American stars. They were spotted at the match between Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France and Mardy Fish.

However, it was disappointment for Garnett and all American fans, as Tsonga beat eighth seed Fish 6-4, 6-7, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 in an enthralling centre court clash, in nearly four hours, to march into the quarters.

Cohen comes to watch Djokovic dominate Dolgopolov

Image: Ethan Cohen watches Novak Djokovic in action against Alexandr Dolgopolov
Photographs: Getty Images

Director Ethan Cohen also watched a match.

The Academy award-winning director of the 'Coen Brothers' fame watched as Djokovic fought hard in the first set to beat Ukraine's Alexandr Dolgopolov 7-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the fourth round.

Seyfried at Pavlyuchenkova-Schiavone tie

Image: American actress and child model Amanda Seyfried attends the US Open
Photographs: Getty Images

American actress and child model Amanda Seyfried attended the match between Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Italian world No.7 Francesca Schiavone.

Pavlyuchenkova avenged her agonising loss to Schiavone at this year's French Open with a 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 win.

Spike Lee makes an appearance

Image: Brandi Garnett and director Spike Lee at the match between Tsonga and Fish
Photographs: Getty Images

Boston Celtics's player Kevin Garnett's wife Brandi Garnett and director Spike Lee watch as Jo-Wilfried Tsonga overpowered Mardy Fish to advance.

Ferrara watches Djokovic sails through

Image: Jerry Ferrara (centre) with friends
Photographs: Getty Images

Actor Jerry Ferrara (centre), best known for his work as Turtle aka Sal on the HBO comedy series Entourage, was spotted in the company of two beautiful friends.

Ferrara was present for the Novak Djokovic- Alexandr Dolgopolov fourth round match and watched as the world No 1 survived a 30-point classic against Ukraine's Dolgopolov in the first set to set up a quarter-final clash with Davis Cup teammate Janko Tipsarevic.

Ciara cheers for Fish

Image: American singer Ciara watches the match between Tsonga and Fish
Photographs: Getty Images

Another famous face who watched 11th seed Tsonga down Fish was American singer-songwriter actress Ciara.

Tsonga will face Roger Federer in the last eight.

Blake Lively watches as Serena downs Ivanovic

Image: Actress Blake Lively watches the match between Serena Williams and Ana Ivanovic
Photographs: Getty Images

American actress Blake Lively, who stars as Serena van der Woodsen in the television teen drama series, Gossip Girl, watched Serena Williams in action against Ana Ivanovic.

Serena outplayed the Serbian 6-3, 6-4 on Monday to book a place in the last eight.

Danielle Fishel in attendance

Image: Actress Danielle Fishel attends the match between Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Francesca Schiavone
Photographs: Getty Images

American actress Danielle Fishel attended the match between Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia and Francesca Schiavone of Italy on Monday.

Fishel of TV sitcom Boy Meets World fame watched as Pavlyuchenkova dominated last year's French Open champion to book a place in the next round.

Virginia Wade watches Murray stroll into next round

Image: Former English tennis player Virginia Wade watches Andy Murray in action against Feliciano Lopez
Photographs: Getty Images

Former English tennis player Virginia Wade watched Andy Murray play Feliciano Lopez.

Wade was the last British player to win a Wimbledon title -- having won at the All England Club in 1977.

Britain's Murray, the fourth seed, turned in his best performance of the tournament to defeat Spain's Feliciano Lopez 6-1, 6-4, 6-2, two days after he was pushed to five sets and the brink of an early exit.

Donald Trump cools down as Sharapova sweats it out

Image: Donald Trump enjoys an ice-cream during the opening match of the US Open between Maria Sharapova and Heather Watson
Photographs: Reuters

American business tycoon and television personality Donald Trump also made it to the opening day of the tournament.

As Trump sucked on to his ice-cream, Maria Sharapova beat British teenager Heather Watson 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 in what was an unconvincing performance from the former World No. 1.

The Russian, a former champion, was knocked out of the tournament by Italy's Flavia Pannetta.