Queen of soul meets Queens

NEW YORK, Sept 3 (Reuters) -- Soul singer Aretha Franklin will sing America prior to Saturday's U.S. Open women's singles final, the United States Tennis Association said on Tuesday.

Franklin will be accompanied by 40 members of New York's Boys' Choir of Harlem for her performance being shown live on prime time television.

"Aretha Franklin personifies 'prime time' and will certainly add to the excitement of Super Saturday Night," USTA chief executive of professional tennis Arlen Kantarian said.

"She is an American icon and the perfect performer for this special time in our country."

This year marks the second consecutive year that the women's singles final will be played in the evening.

The Saturday day session, featuring the men's semifinals, begins at 11:00 EST.

New York native Art Garfunkel will sing America The Beautiful prior to the 2002 U.S. Open men's singles final on Sunday, the United States Tennis Association said on Wednesday.

Garfunkel will also sing Bridge Over Troubled Water, the 1970 Grammy-winning single.

His performance will be accompanied by a release of doves as a symbol of international peace and unity to conclude the U.S. Open's two-week celebration of New York and its people.

Sunday's men's singles final will cap the last day session of the fourth and final Grand Slam tournament of the year.

 

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