US Open 2015: Pennetta beats Vinci to win first Grand Slam

It was a battle of the Italians at the women’s singles final of the 2015 US Open, with old time pals Flavia Pennetta and Roberta Vinci facing each other for the Grand Slam title. At the end of the three-setter, it was the 26th seeded Pennetta who clinched her first majors title in her career.

The historic match was witnessed by the Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, who cheered as Pennetta became only the second Italian woman to win the tournament. With clouds threatening to play spoilsport, the match ended with a perfect forehand finish by Pennetta, winning the match, 7-6 (4) 6-2.

Vinci, who played as Pennetta’s doubles partner for years, beat crowd favourite Serena Williams in the semi-final to take spot at the surprising final.

“I beat Serena – a miracle,” the 32 year old told BBC. “two Italians can reach the final – a second miracle. And one Italian player can win a Grand Slam.”

The first set saw Pennetta break serve with a flourish in the seventh game after seven attempts. While Vinci appeared exhausted from her Friday’s match, it was Pennetta who sustained in the brief fightback spells from her compatriot, breezing through the second with a huge 4-0 lead.

The final set saw the looming rain as a dampener to the Italians’ hopes but Pennetta ended her long dry spell with a career-best finish at the US Open.

“I tried to play my best,” said Vinci, after celebrating her friend’s victory. “but Flavia played unbelievable and I have to say congrats to her.”

The two players appeared more friends than competitors, with Vinci sharing a long, joyous hug with her childhood friend Pennetta after the latter’s well-deserved win.

“We know each other each other since forever,” the new Grand Slam champion told ABC. “We spend so much time together, we could write a book about our lives.”

Pennetta shocked the crowds by talks of bidding farewell to tennis by the year-end, but managed to find the best way to end a glorious career spell – with a champion’s title to her name.