September 5, 2014

Roger Federer entertains Thierry Henry with US Open comeback

Henry watched as Monfils was ousted (©GettyImages).

Roger Federer came from the brink of defeat in order to book his place in the semi-finals at the US Open, and Thierry Henry was in the crowd as any hopes of a French winner were extinguished.

Celebrity stars have been spotted courtside throughout the tournament and those in attendance for Federer versus Gael Monfils in the quarter-finals were treated to an absolute classic.

Classic 

Monfils, one of the most talented, flamboyant and enigmatic stars on the circuit, was two sets to the good against tennis' most successful ever player, but with his typical never-say-die attitude, the veteran Swiss star fought back.

Federer's stunning comeback was completed with a 4-6 3-6 6-4 7-5 6-2 win and he remains on course to lift his elusive 18th Grand Slam title; no other man has even passed 14 wins, let alone 18. 

There would have been split loyalties for Henry, however, as the Frenchman was spotted with his model girlfriend Andrea Rajacic in the Flushing Meadows crowd. 

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Henry

Obviously the former Arsenal and Barcelona striker, who lifted the World Cup for France in 1998, would have been upset to see compatriot Monfils exit the competition.

However the 37-year-old has worked with Federer in their endorsement roles with Gillette and didn't look too upset with the result. 

Henry now plays for the New York Red Bulls in the MLS - and therefore had plenty of time to take in some action - had a fabulous career in European football and remains Arsenal's record goalscorer with over 200 strikes. 

Other names

The 51-goal retired international was also joined by fellow sporting star Lindsey Vonn - the skier and girldriend of Tiger Woods - in the crowd and many others. Hugh Jackman and Gwen Stefani were the other highest-profile names. 

Vonn even tried to catch a stray ball from Federer, in the style of Alec Baldwin from Maria Sharapova's match earlier in the major. 

Expect more stars to turn up for the remaining blockbuster games. Federer will take on Croatian 14th seed Marin Cilic for a place in the final where either Novak Djokovic or Kei Nishikori will be waiting.

Dream final?

A Djokovic/Federer final has been tipped from the beginning of the tournament following the Rafael Nadal's withdrawal and the dream final is close to coming to fruition.

Djokovic has started to take a strangle-hold over the sport pretty much ever since Federer began to decline, but the 32-year-old looks to have a big finish left in him.

The world no.3 hasn't won a major title in over two years but has looked sharp at US Open and preceding warm-up events.  

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