NEW YORK — Flavia Pennetta crushed Romanian second seed Simona Halep 6-1 6-3 to kick off a packed day of action at the U.S. Open on Friday with an stunning upset that put the Italian into her first grand slam final.
Pennetta, 33, entered the contest as the clear underdog but the 26th seed showed her experience and was not overwhelmed on the big stage having reached at least the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows in six of the last seven years.
"It's amazing. I didn't think to be so far in the tournament," said Pennetta, who will play either compatriot Roberta Vinci or top-seeded Serena Williams in Saturday's final.