Italy rules at the US Open tennis championships on Saturday when childhood friends and Fed Cup team mates Flavia Pennetta and Roberta Vinci play for the women’s title in the last grand slam of the year.
The 43rd-ranked Vinci, playing her grand slam singles semi-final, toppled the mighty Serena Williams, while number 26 Pennetta pounded past second seed Simona Halep of Romania to set up a totally unexpected clash in the finals.
It is the first all-Italian singles final in a grand slam and ensures Italy’s first US Open champion and second grand slam champion, after 2010 French Open winner Francesca Schiavone.
“All-Italian, yes!” said 32-year-old Vinci, after derailing Williams’ bid for a first calendar-year grand slam sweep in 27 years.
“And tomorrow one Italian win for sure,” added Vinci, brandishing a thumbs-up.
Born about 70 kilometres (43 miles) apart in southern Italy, Vinci in Taranto and Pennetta in Brindisi, they have battled close, sometimes head-to-head, with the 33-year-old Pennetta holding a 5-4 edge, including a US Open quarter-final win in 2013.
Vinci, a five-times grand slam doubles winner, has posted a 23-20 singles record including her run at the Open.
She benefitted from a walkover against Canada’s 25th seed Eugenie Bouchard, who withdrew after suffering a concussion in the locker room after her third-round match.
Pennetta is a more accomplished singles player. She has won 10 career titles on the Women’s Tennis Association circuit and finished the 2014 season ranked 14th.
She has compiled a 23-15 record this year and will start the final a warm favourite.
Pennetta will also be playing her first grand slam final after beating twice Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, the fifth seed, in the quarter-finals, and 22nd-seeded former US champion Sam Stosur of Australia in the fourth round.
Neither player envisioned reaching such heights.
I didn’t have a goal so high. I have to be honest. I was always thinking I would like to play Rome, for sure, because when I was really young every year my mom and my dad bring me to see the tournament. My goal was just to play Rome, to be a good Italian player. Not good in the world, but in Italy.
— Flavia Pennetta
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