Getting a slice of the action! American Pie star Jason Biggs joins wife Jenny Mollen at Flushing Meadows as they watch British tennis ace Emma Raducanu triumph against Leylah Fernandez in historic US Open final
- The actor was joined by wife Jenny Mollen as they chatted with Belgian former Tennis pro Kim Clijsters after taking their seats at Flushing Meadows in New York City ahead of the contest
- Biggs, later admitted the triumphant occasion had even greater significance because it was the first time he had ventured out with his wife since they became parents
- Raducanu, 18, from South London took on her 19-year-old opponent Fernandez and won her first Grand Slam final after a fairytale string of victories saw her reach the top of the competition
- The debutant is the first qualifier ever to reach the final in New York, having played nine matches without dropping a set on her blazing journey to worldwide stardom
American Pie star Jason Biggs ensured he got a slice of the action on Saturday evening as he watched British tennis ace Emma Raducanu beat Leylah Fernandez in a historic US Open final.
The actor was joined by wife Jenny Mollen as they chatted with Belgian former Tennis pro Kim Clijsters after taking their seats at Flushing Meadows in New York City ahead of the contest.
Biggs, later admitted the triumphant occasion had even greater significance because it was the first time he had ventured out with his wife since they became parents.
Taking to Instagram, he wrote: ‘Thank you @emirates for letting me take this hottie on our first date sans kids in forever.’
Side by side: American Pie star Jason Biggs was joined by wife Jenny Mollen as he watched British tennis ace Emma Raducanu beat Leylah Fernandez in a historic US Open final
Historic: The 18-year-old from South London took on her 19-year-old opponent Fernandez and won her first Grand Slam final after a fairytale string of victories saw her reach the top of the competition
The 18-year-old from South London took on her 19-year-old opponent Fernandez and won her first Grand Slam final after a fairytale string of victories saw her reach the top of the competition.
The debutant is the first qualifier ever to reach the final in New York, having played nine matches without dropping a set on her blazing journey to worldwide stardom.
TV presenters Kirstie Allsopp, Nick Knowles and and Ant and Dec led the shows of support for the British teen ahead of tonight’s game, alongside the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.
Manchester United Luke Shaw was also among the celebrities who tuned in to watch Emma compete.
Quality time: Jason and Jenny occupied prime seats at Flushing Meadows in Queens on Saturday
In good company: They were also also joined by guests including Belgian former Tennis pro Kim Clijsters
In attendance: The group were in high spirits as they chatted while watching the contest at the Queens venue
Ant and Dec sent an enthusiastic message on Twitter, saying: ‘After an unenjoyable day of sport so far may I say… GOOD LUCK! We’re rooting for you.’
TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp wrote on Twitter: ‘Turn to @channel4 for something to inspire your teenagers.’
TV presenter Nick Knowles wrote: ‘If you’re not watching in the US Tennis Open final (unexpectedly live on Ch4 via Prime) you’re missing a special sporting moment.
‘Whatever happens in the next couple of hours a star has been born Hoping you execute your game as you wish to Emma We’re already proud,’ he added.
Winner: The teenage Raducanu cradled her trophy after winning the US Open in New York on Saturday
Good times: Jason and Jenny shared a series of videos while attending the event at Flushing Meadows
Sporting excellence: : (L-R) Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada holds the runner-up trophy as Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates with the championship trophy
Runner up: Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada was gracious in defeat (L) while Raducanu looked delighted as she heled her trophy aloft (R)
British celebrities cheerd on Emma Raducanu, 18, at tonight’s final of the US Openthat saw the 18-year-old from Bromley beat Leylah Fernandez, 19, and win TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp, pictured, called Emma something to ‘inspire your teenagers’ as she watched
Emma is the first qualifier ever to reach the final in New York, having played nine matches without dropping a set on her blazing journey to worldwide stardom
TV hosts Ant and Dec said they were rooting for Emma to take home the title ahead of tonight’s game (pictured at the National Television Award on Thursday)
Piers Morgan was also among the people who tuned in. ‘Reminder: @emmaRaducanu hasn’t lost a single set in the entire tournament. Insane.’
Johanna Konta, 30, who had to withdraw from Wimbledon this year when one of her team members tested positive to Covid-19, cheered both Emma and her opponent, celebrating the promising future of tennis.
‘It’s really exciting to see the next generation coming through at the this year. Good luck @EmmaRaducanu and @leylahfernandez,’ she wrote.
Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock also wrote a message of encouragement on Twitter, saying: ‘Best of luck to @EmmaRaducanu tonight in the US Open final. Whatever the end result, you have done yourself & the country proud.’
Army veteran and Strictly Come Dancing alum JJ Chalmers also cheered Emma on on Twitter today and said the match would be a ‘piece of history,’
Manchester United player Luke Shaw tuned in to watch Emma compete as the player won the first set
‘Tonight isn’t just going to be a belter of a match, it’s going to be a piece of history, and now not only can we freely hear it on @5livesport but we will also be able to see it on @channel4 #PublicService Broadcast at it’s very best on court from 2100. Good luck #EmmaRaducanu,’ he said.
Comedian Rob Beckett said: ‘F****** come on @Emmaraducanu’ as he watched the match unfold .
The Mayor of London also had words of supports for Emma ahead of the final.
‘Wishing @EmmaRaducanu the very best of luck in the #USOpenFinal this evening. We couldn’t be prouder of you.’
And the Labour Party Leader Keir Starmer wrote: Every best wish to @EmmaRaducanu ahead of tonight’s #USOpen final. You’ve already made history as the first qualifier to reach a Grand Slam final.
‘I could not be happier for you and all those who have supported you along the way. You have made us all so proud. Good luck,’ he added.
TV presenter Nick Knowles, pictured, said that people who were not watching the game were ‘missing a special sporting moment’
Army veteran, presenter and Invictus Games competitor JJ Chalmers also was among the celebrities wishing Emma luck today
SNP leader Nicolas Sturgeon, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and JJ Chalmers were about the first British celebrities to send Emma their good wishes
ITV weather man Alex Beresford wrote: ‘This is a GAME! Come on @EmmaRaducanu.’
Andy Murray’s mother Judy Murray praised Channel 4 for giving women’s sports ‘visibility’ and called both Raducanu and Fernandez ‘teen sensations.’
Meanwhile SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon wrote: ‘Best of luck @EmmaRaducanu.’
London Olympics’ Middleweight Division bronze winner Anthony Ogogo said: ‘Come on girl.’
Author Jason Vale, also known as the Juice Master said:’ We are all behind you but above all enjoy the moment and drink it in.
Actress and presenter Natalie Anderson took in the moment as the final started: ‘Eeeeek! Good luck @EmmaRaducanu.’
Britain’s Got Talent 2020 finalist Damien O’Brien said: ‘Emma Raducanu is incredible !! #USOpen
GB News presenter Alastair Stewart said: ‘ I’ve cracked it! @EmmaRaducanu plays chess, disguised as tennis.’
Even retailer John Lewis and Chrystal Palace FC were among those wishing Emma luck.
Former British number one Johanna Konta, 30, pictured during this year Miami Open, wished luck to both Emma and her rival, praising the future of tennis
Olympic golfer Justin Rose and TV presenter and actor Greg Scott also wished Emma luck, saying she was already a winner
‘Anyone else nervous?! We’re all behind you Emma Raducanu. Imagine the racket we’ll make if you win,’ they wrote.
Meanwhile, the football club wrote: ‘From everyone at your local team, we’re right behind you. Bring it home tonight.
And singer Miles Kanes wrote: ‘Come on, Emma Raducanu! You’ve got this, buzzing for this final.
Chris Wood, the drummer of pop band Bastille was also among the people watching.
Professional golfer Ian Poulter tweeted: ‘What a game of Tennis this is.. Come on.’
‘Found my seat on the bandwagon. Come on @EmmaRaducanu,’ he said.
Emma will aim to write the happiest of endings to her New York fairy tale when she takes on Leylah Fernandez in the final of the US Open on Saturday evening.
‘Let’s go Emma Raducanu! The nation is behind you,’ wrote author and Celebrity MasterChef winner Emma Kennedy.
Ackley Bridge actor Adil Ray OBE said: ‘Well @emmaRaducanu the BRAVEST BRITON in Britain right now. Come on.’
Former Team GB rower Steve Redgrave wrote: ‘Wishing Emma all the best this evening, it’s promising to be an extraordinary final, looking forward to watching this one.’
Lord Ashcroft was among the people watching Emma in the stadium. He said: ‘Getting seated for the US Open Women’s Final between @emmaraducanu and @leylahfernandez… Emma will be a finalist in many more Grand Slams in her career…I’m just happy I’m here at her first.’
Winter Olympian and Alpine Sky racer Chemmy Alcott wrote: ‘So tense. So epic. We are all behind you @emmaraducanu.’
England’s cricket team captain Heather Knight saidL ‘What a game this has been already! Come on @EmmaRaducanu.
BBC Breakfast presenter Holly Hamilton shared an excited baby gif as the tennis sensation won her first set.
Not since Virginia Wade lifted her most famous title at Wimbledon in 1977 had a British woman even reached a grand slam singles final until now.
That the player to achieve the feat is an 18-year-old taking her first real steps in the professional game makes this one of the most extraordinary stories in all sport.
On the line is a prize cheque for £1.8million – more than eight times Raducanu’s current career earnings – as well as 2,000 ranking points, which would move the teenager up from her current standing of 150 to 23.
Even defeat would see Raducanu climb to 32nd in the rankings, putting her in contention to be seeded for her debut at the Australian Open in January.
EMMA RADUCANU’S RUN TO THE US OPEN FINAL
Q1: 6-1, 6-2 – beats Bibiane Schoofs – QUALIFYING
Q2: 6-3, 7-5 – beats Mariam Bolkvadze – QUALIFYING
Q3: 6-1, 6-4 – beats Mayar Sherif – QUALIFYING
R1: 6-2, 6-3 – beats Stefanie Vogele
R2: 6-2, 6-4 – beats Zhang Shuai
R3: 6-0, 6-1 – beats Sara Sorribes Tormo
R4: 6-2, 6-1 – beats Shelby Rogers
QF: 6-3, 6-4 – beats Belinda Bencic
SF: 6-1, 6-4 – beats Maria Sakkari
Fernandez has had a similarly seismic impact at Flushing Meadows, with her incredible run including victories over defending champion Naomi Osaka, another former winner in Angelique Kerber, fifth seed Elina Svitolina and second seed Aryna Sabalenka.
The Canadian is just two months older than Raducanu and the pair have known each other since they competed at under-12 level.
‘We first encountered each other because I was born in Toronto and she was Canadian, so we kind of made a little relationship back then,’ said Raducanu, who won their only previous meeting in the girls’ singles at Wimbledon three years ago.
‘Obviously since then we’ve both come very far in our games and as people. I’m sure it’s going to be extremely different to when we last encountered each other. But we’re both playing good tennis so it will be a good match.’
The pair share an immigrant background. Raducanu, who moved to the UK when she was two, has a Romanian father and Chinese mother while Fernandez has Ecuadorian, Peruvian and Filipino heritage.
The Canadian is coached by her father Jorge, who believes the final is a significant moment for the women’s game.
The former footballer said: ‘I see they’re both bringing a type of game that is not common right now on the circuit.
‘I see that they bring a flair that is very unique for them. I’m glad that they’re touching the Asian community. I think that’s a huge opportunity in the women’s game.
‘I think it’s just positive for the game. Obviously I want Leylah to win. That goes without saying. But I just think that the match-up and what we’re seeing, those two ladies are touching a lot of young girls.
‘I’m getting messages about, “Please pass this to Leylah”, little girls saying, “You’re making us believe”. This can only be good for the tennis game and the WTA altogether.’
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