U.S. Open 2015: Novak Djokovic Caps Off Incredible Season

2015 U.S. Open – Women’s Final

In the women’s final that even the players did not expect, Flavia Pennetta defeated Roberta Vinci in straight sets, 7-6, 6-3, to win the first Grand Slam of her career.

She delivered the final shock of the women’s draw by announcing her retirement after the victory.

24 hours after beating Serena Williams in the biggest sporting upset of the year, Roberta Vinci took the 26th ranked Pennetta to a first set tie-break after saving six break points earlier in the set.

Pennetta would go on to break Vinci in the eighth game and won the tie-break with a four point margin.

In front of the Italian Prime Minister who flew in on short notice for the event, Pennetta throttled Vinci in the second set 6-2 to claim one of the most unexpected victories in Grand Slam history.

To say that the event unfolded awkwardly would be an understatement.

So much had been made of Williams quest for history; her presence remained during the broadcast as she appeared during every commercial break in sponsor advertisements.

It is only natural that the event felt like a letdown after all the anticipation.

But were history not on the line, the story of Vinci and Pennetta might well be it’s own story for the ages.

Sep 12, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Flavia Pennetta of Italy (right) and Roberta Vinci of Italy pose with their trophies after the women

Pennetta and Vinci took a prolonged embrace at the net where the acknowledged not only their respect for each other but for the unlikeliness of their achievement.

Vinci had already booked her flight for the day of the final before playing Serena, her defeat already a foregone conclusion in her mind.

Pennetta, just as unlikely to arrive at the space and time, invited members of the press to her box as she had no one from her circle there for her.

Vinci praised Pennetta on her victory and graciously accepted defeat.

She won the hearts of the New York crowd with her post-game antics.

She playfully said she would accept the trophy and winners check, and when it was over she stated that she knew that it would be a great victory for both of them no matter who won.

Earlier that morning, Djokovic’ coach Boris Becker saw Pennetta and Vinci eating breakfast and playfully asked if they knew they were playing each other for the championship later.

When Pennetta announced her retirement from the sport, she even had to briefly console presenter Robin Roberts and tell her that it was not as negative a moment as the GMA hosts’ face seemed to reflect.

Finally, Serena Williams graciously praised the Italian champion.

Pennetta and Vinci first played each other at nine years old.

In a tournament that seemed destined to be the site of history, the womens’ championship ended with the story of a friendship that will last a lifetime.