Jalen Brunson once again showed why he is regarded as the “King of New York” after turning up at Arthur Ashe Stadium for the blockbuster US Open semifinal between Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe. The New York Knicks star was among the high-profile guests watching the all-American clash, sitting near former Vogue editor Anna Wintour. Brunson was also joined by teammate and close friend Josh Hart, who attended the match with his wife.
The packed crowd featured several other major celebrities, including Spike Lee, Rami Malek, Kevin Hart and Russell Wilson. Shelton, who was competing in one of the biggest matches of his career, admitted the star-studded atmosphere made it difficult to stay completely focused. The excitement inside Arthur Ashe reached another level when Brunson appeared on the big screen alongside Ben Stiller, drawing a huge reaction from the New York crowd.
Jalen Brunson Steals the Spotlight as Ben Shelton Makes US Open History
Ben Shelton made history at the US Open by defeating Frances Tiafoe in a thrilling all-American semifinal at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 23-year-old recovered after losing the opening set to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 in three hours and 17 minutes, booking his place in a first Grand Slam final. With the victory, Shelton became the first Black American man to reach the US Open men’s final since Arthur Ashe achieved the feat in 1972. He will now face Alexander Zverev on Sunday for the title.
The semifinal attracted a packed crowd in New York, with several of the biggest names from sports and entertainment turning up to watch two of American tennis’ brightest stars. However, the loudest reaction of the night came when New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson appeared on the big screen alongside actor and director Ben Stiller. Brunson, who was joined by his wife Ali, received a huge ovation as the cameras found him, with Stiller and his wife Christine Taylor also getting a warm reception.
Brunson’s appearance added another layer of Knicks star power to an already celebrity-filled night. The three-time NBA All-Star was seated next to Stiller, a well-known Knicks courtside regular, and was still enjoying the spotlight less than three months after helping New York win its first NBA championship in 53 years. Brunson and Stiller appeared to steal the show whenever the cameras turned toward them, while Brunson’s teammate and close friend Josh Hart was also in attendance with his wife. Stiller has also announced plans for a Knicks documentary with A24 and HBO, using footage he recorded on his own iPhone.
Ben Shelton Reveals Celebrity Distraction as US Open Final Awaits
For Shelton, however, the star-studded atmosphere was not always easy to ignore while playing one of the biggest matches of his career. The American admitted that seeing so many famous athletes and movie stars around the stadium created its own distraction. “It’s not easy playing here in Arthur Ashe, playing in front of all your favourite athletes and movie stars so to be able to keep your head down and focus for over three hours is not an easy task,” said Shelton after the win. He also revealed just how much Brunson’s presence caught his attention during the contest.
“I keep on looking up at the screen, ‘Oh shoot, Jalen Brunson is here.’” Shelton’s ability to stay focused eventually paid off as he produced another impressive comeback on the biggest stage of his career. He had already reached the semifinal by knocking out defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, while Tiafoe arrived after recovering from two sets down to defeat Alex Michelsen in five sets. The American pair then delivered another high-quality battle, but Shelton’s power and serving helped him turn the match around after falling behind early.
Shelton now heads into his first Grand Slam final with a chance to end a 23-year wait for an American men’s singles champion at the US Open. Standing in his way is Zverev, who has already made it clear that he intends to stop the American from completing his dream run in New York. The German also has a significant advantage in their rivalry, having won all five of their previous meetings. With Shelton chasing the biggest title of his career, another packed Arthur Ashe Stadium is expected to provide plenty of support when the two meet in Sunday’s final.
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