US OPEN: Flavia Pennetta beats Roberta Vinci for first grand slam title

Flavia Pennetta has won the US Open title and in turn collected her first grand slam trophy, as the Italian overcame her compatriot Roberta Vinci 7-6 6-2. Once Pennetta had edged the first set on a tie-break, she went on to dominate the rest of the match as Vinci failed to replicate the form that had seen her stun Serena Williams in the semi-finals.

In the opening set, both players started the match holding their service games relatively comfortably but at 2-2, Vinci was under immense pressure as Pennetta created several break points. Even though Pennetta produced a few unforced errors to let the opportunities slip, she finally converted her chance in the lengthy game to break her opponent. However, Vinci battled back and eventually recovered the deficit when Pennetta committed more uncharacteristic errors. The set would need a tie-break to decide the outcome, as the tension increased with the set reaching its conclusion. In the tie-break, both players showed signs of nerves but it was Pennetta who took advantage of Vinci’s inconsistency to close out the tie-break and as a result clinch the set.

The second set saw Pennetta make the perfect start as the Italian continued her momentum by breaking Vinci, who appeared dispirited from losing the tie-break in the first set. Pennetta was growing in confidence and she gained the double break advantage when Vinci made another unforced error to build a commanding 4-0 lead. However, Vinci refused to lie down and threatened to mount a response when she recovered one break back with a winner as the tension from Pennetta was evident in her play. However, the Italian refocused and just managed to hold her serve to maintain the advantage. Any hopes of a revival from Vinci were emphatically dismissed in the next game as Pennetta broke the Italian once again with a blistering forehand winner to complete a 7-6 6-2 victory and capture her first grand slam title.

However, Flavia Pennetta delivered a surprise revelation afterwards when the newly crowned grand slam champion explained that she plans to retire at the end of the season, meaning that the Italian’s last match at the US Open will be one that she remembers for a very long time.