NEW YORK — Italy rules at the U.S. 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 U.S. Open champion and second grand slam champion, after 2010 French Open winner Francesca Schiavone.