This is Grace Cooper, signing off. Thank you for joining us for our live coverage of the US Open final. Congratulations Flavia Pennetta!
Pennetta, whom we can now call the US Open champion, was tense to begin the final, and the first set was tight and unpredictable. There were many shifts in momentum in the first, but once both settled into the match, they began to showcase their best tennis. It all came down to a few points in the tiebreak, which Pennetta handled better. In the second set, Pennetta had the comfort of a one set lead and began to play even more loosely, firing winners all over the court. Vinci kept fighting until the end, but it was Pennetta who stormed ahead and captured her first Grand Slam title.
Pennetta runs to her box, embracing her team after her first Grand Slam victory. What an amazing couple of weeks for the Italian.
She's done it! Flavia Pennetta is the 2015 US Open Champion! She beats her compatriot Vinci 7-6 5-2 in the final.
Championship point, Pennetta.
0-30 Backhand down the line winner from Pennetta. Just two points away!
0-15 Vinci sends a forehand wide.
Game Pennetta. 5-2.
40-30. Vinci return into the net.
30-30 Fantastic surge on a short ball.
30-15 Big serve- Pennetta.
15-15 Heavy return from Vinci.
15-0 Vinci sends a strong forehand into the net.
Game Vinci. 2-4.
40-30 Charging return from Pennetta.
40-15 Good clever smash from Vinci, putting a lot of spin on it.
30-15 Pennetta has a wide open court, but sends a backhand long.
15-15 Vinci slice backhand dumped into the net.
Rain is in the area... We'll keep you updated.
15-0 Big risky smash from Vinci.
Game Vinci. She gets one of the breaks back, and will serve at 1-4 in this second set.
Adv Vinci. She scrambles and grabs hold of another chance. Break point.
Deuce. She has it snatched away, as Vinci sends a backhand volley way off court.
30-40 Break point Vinci.
30-30 Heavy second sere. Vinci struggling to get pace on the return.
15-30 Forehand cross court winner- Vinci.
15-15 Still some signs of life from Vinci, as she returns up the line.
15-0 Huge backhand down the line winner. She's very loose, playing freely.
Game and break Pennetta. 4-0. She's just two games away.
30-40 One saved with a forehand down the line winner from Vinci.
15-40 HUGE backhand down the line winner from Pennetta. She has two break points.
15-30 Big point won by Vinci, using her slice to stretch her opponent.
0-30 Vinci's volley fails to get over the net. Risky shot didn't pay off this time.
0-15 Nice movement from Pennetta. She's very comfortable now.
Pennetta is waiting for her moments, and ultimately, she has more weapons than her opponent. Now her forehand is finding the court, it's giving her a clear advantage.
Amazing finish on a point from Pennetta, finding the empty court with a volley. She holds. 3-0.
Adv Pennetta. Nice serve out wide under pressure.
Deuce. Pennetta saves it, pushing Vinci out wide.
30-40 Break point opportunity for Vinci.
30-30 Fantastic defence and depth from Pennetta when pushed out wide.
15-30 Great angle from Vinci, taking charge of the point with another slice.
15-15 Pennetta groundstroke just clipping sideline.
Game and break Pennetta. 2-0.
15-40 A sloppy backhand finding the net puts Vinci in trouble, she has to save two break points.
15-30 Unforced error from Vinci.
15-15 Solid half volley from Vinci.
0-15 Incredible forehand passing shot down the line from Pennetta, taking advantage even on a high volley.
Game Pennetta, denying a potential threat. She's a lot calmer at the start of this set than she was during the first, that's for sure. 1-0.
40-30 Nice work at the net from the Italian.
30-30 Good serve from Pennetta.
15-30 Fantastic point won by Vinci, finishing with a perfect touch on a dropshot.
15-15 Amazing volley from the baseline from Vinci, a last minute improvisation perhaps.
15-0 Great start from Pennetta, putting away a smash.
First set Flavia Pennetta 7-6. She's a set away from her first Grand Slam title. It was a hard fought set of tennis with many twists and turns, but despite a shaky start, she ultimately comes out on top, having handled the tiebreak better.
6-5 Set point Pennetta. Vinci losing control on her strokes in this tiebreak.
4-5 Vinci puts away a series of punishing groundstrokes.
Pennetta grabs the mini break straight back, as Vinci dumps a backhand into the net. 3-5.
Mini break back for Vinci! Unforced error from Pennetta as she dictates the point with some deep hitting. 3-4
Another mini break for Pennetta, as Vinci sends a backhand slice long. 4-2.
Mini break Pennetta. A Vinci groundstroke flies away. 2-3.
2-2 Pennetta return of serve is long.
2-1 Vinci misses a forehand down the line opportunity.
1-1. Heavy serve from Pennetta.
1-0 Forehand down the line winner from Vinci.
6-6. A tiebreak will decide the first set of the US Open final... Here we go.
40-30 Heavy return from Vinci, running after a return powerfully, then finishing with a backhand volley.
40-15 Good strong serve from Pennetta. Game point.
30-15 She has control of the point, but Vinci sends her slice backhand just long/wide.
15-15 Good deep hitting from Vinci, forcing her opponent to get into her rhythm.
15-0 Nice forehand cross court winner on a short ball.
Game Vinci. She fights through the game, resisting that crucial break of serve. 6-5.
Adv Vinci. Nice control with the slice backhand.
Deuce #2.
Adv Vinci. Nice serve.
Deuce. A momentum shift, as Pennetta hits deep and controls Vinci around the court.
40-30 Another good return up the line from Pennetta, who then controls Vinci at the net.
40-15 Wonderful backhand down the line winner on the return from Pennetta.
40-0 Nice deep hitting from Vinci, who over-stretches her compatriot.
30-0 Great forehand down the line winner, taking the ball very early.
15-0 Pennetta backhand finds the net.
Game Pennetta. 5-5.
40-30 Incredible forehand pass from Vinci.
40-15 Superb dropshot from Vinci.
40-0 Hugely exciting point won by Pennetta, who stretches her opponent out with a high ball.
30-0 Great backhand down the line winner from Pennetta.
15-0 Good strong serve.
Vinci is loosening up now and going for her forehand. Pennetta, who wasn't mentally pressured in her semi, will have to be careful now...
Game and hold Vinci. 5-4. She's back in front.
40-30 Nice finish at the net from Vinci.
30-30 Nice serve from Vinci.
15-30 Great deep backhand winner from Pennetta, as she responds to a cross court forehand from Vinci.
15-15 Nice serve from the Italian.
0-15 Vinci backhand wide.
Break Vinci. They're even at 4-4! You can sense that both are warmed up and ready to go now.
Break point Vinci! Wonderful use of the dropshot, then a backhand passing shot.
Deuce. Pennetta's backhand is long. Another look in for her opponent.
Adv Pennetta. Vinci slice backhand long.
Deuce. Pennetta dumps a backhand into the net.
Adv Pennetta. Ace (3) out wide.
Deuce. Double fault.
40-30 Unforced error from Pennetta.
40-15 Pennetta responds with her own down the line winner- a firing backhand.
30-15 Fantastic forehand down the line winner from Vinci.
30-0 Heavy serve.
15-0 Nice finish with a backhand down the line from Pennetta.
Game Vinci. 4-3. Nice hold. Just one break seperating the two at the moment.
40-30 Vinci backhand drifts long.
40-15 Amazing point at the net won by Vinci, as she stops attempts of passing shots in their tracks.
30-15 Fabulous defence from Pennetta, continuing to hit to Vinci's backhand.
30-0 Wrong footing forehand from Vinci, nice coverage of the court.
15-0 Good control with the smash from Vinci.
Game Pennetta, holding to love. 4-2. Very good service game from the Italian.
40-0 Ace.
30-0 Pennetta settling in now, opening up the court and staying patient, going to Vinci's backhand.
15-0 Longest rally of the match so far finished perfectly by Pennetta, with a backhand down the line.
There's no rhythm to the match at the moment, and both are a little too tense early on. Still a case of who handles the pressure better.
Game and break Pennetta. 3-2.
Adv Pennetta. Vinci doesn't pick up a half volley after a late decision to come forward.
That one doesn't, though! Firing backhand cross court winner from Vinci. Much better. Deuce.
Adv Pennetta. Vinci's backhand completely misfires.
Deuce. Both aren't in top gear just yet, as another error sends us back to deuce.
Adv Pennetta. A few too many errors off the backhand from Vinci.
Deuce. Pennetta forehand long.
Another break point for Pennetta, as Vinci's backhand drifts long.
Deuce. Good serve down the T from Vinci.
Adv Pennetta who hits a very deep return.
Deuce. Vinci saves both break points, relying on her serve.
30-40 One saved, with a deep backhand from Vinci.
15-40 Forehand lands long, giving Pennetta a break point.
15-30 Good serve.
0-30 Momentum shift, as Vinci's forehand finds the net.
0-15 Error from Vinci.
Game Pennetta. Solid backhand down the line winner. 2-2.
Adv Pennetta. She's still searching for her first clean winner, but she gets it done.
Deuce. Signs of nerves from Pennetta, as she dumps a backhand into the net.
40-30 Pennetta backhand JUST wide.
40-15 Better point from Pennetta, coming up to the net and dictating Vinci with heavy forehands.
30-15 Wide forehand from Vinci.
15-15 Nice use of the backhand slice from Vinci, but Pennetta secures a smash.
0-15 Deep hitting from Vinci, backhand into the net from Pennetta.
Game Vinci. 2-1.
40-15 Sneak attack after a weaker return from Pennetta.
30-15 Another good serve down the T. Pennetta struggling a little on the return.
15-15 Double fault.
15-0 Huge serve out wide.
Game Pennetta. 1-1. She seems to be the more nervous of the two so far, holding back a little, but she secures a good hold to begin with.
40-15. Ace.
30-15 Pennetta's backhand finds the net.
30-0 Pennetta wins a backhand to backhand exchange.
15-0 Backhand passing shot from Pennetta.
Love hold for Vinci to begin. Strong hold, although some nerves from Pennetta. 1-0
40-0 Another nice serve out wide.
30-0 Heavy serve.
15-0 Nice use of the slice backhand from Vinci.
Here we go! Vinci to serve.
We're just minutes away now from the 2015 US Open women's final. It's an unpredictable final, but ultimately, it comes down to who will handle the occasion better. The players are currently walking out on court.
"I was trying not to think too much about the draw and everything else and just focus on what I had to do when I got on the court, match by match. And here I am in the final—I'm really, really happy." said Pennetta after her victory over Halep. “For me it's an amazing moment. It's incredible. I have so many things in my mind right now!' explained Vinci. Both are delighted to be in the final, and are looking to enjoy the moment. They're playing freely, with little pressure, so hopefully they won't hold anything back. This unlikely final could turn out to be a spectacular match.
To win, Vinci will need to keep her tennis as solid and diverse as it was against Serena. She'll need to mix up the pace using her one handed backhand slice and keep her groundstrokes firing on the forehand side. Pennetta is the more powerful of the two, and will look to create space to set up winners. Both aren't afraid of running, either. Vinci, after beating the world number one yesterday, said that her game plan was to keep running and get the ball in the court. It's definitely a final of 'anything can happen.' Although Pennetta is the more accomplished of the two, there's no denying how good Vinci is playing right now. Serena said she was playing 'literally out of her mind.' A compliment can't get better than that, right?
History is on the line at Arthur Ashe Stadium, as both are looking to become perhaps the best 'late bloomer' ever from the WTA. With Pennetta, 33, and Vinci, 32, they are the oldest first time Grand Slam finalists in the Open Era. This is also the first all-Italian Slam final in the Open Era. This unlikely final comes with it's fair share of record breaking stats... If Pennetta wins, she will have done it on her 49th Grand Slam played, the latest of anybody in history. Vinci is playing her 44th, coming in at fourth place.
Pennetta, ranked higher than her compatriot, at 26, leads their head to head 5-4, winning their last meeting at the quarterfinal of the US Open in 2013. However, Vinci is a better player now than she was a couple of years ago, so the scoreline after today's final is likely to be tighter. She said that this time around, she'll be more confident and better prepared to play Pennetta. Also, you have to consider the huge amounts of momentum she will carry into the final. Pennetta has ousted some big names herself, but there's no upset as big as that of beating Serena Williams looking for a calendar Grand Slam.
Flavia Pennetta has also had a dream run, beating not only Simona Halep, but two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, and Sam Stosur. The 33-year-old Italian has never reached a Grand Slam final in singles, her main success at the majors has been through doubles, much like Vinci. She won the Australian Open back in 2011, and has reached several quarterfinals and semifinals. This year at the slams, Pennetta was ousted in the first round of Wimbledon and the Australian Open, but reached the fourth round of the French Open.
Vinci's run at the US Open has been bumpy, with four of her five matches so far having gone the distance. She appears invincible however, and has been playing possibly the best tennis of her career. Vinci has never reached a Grand Slam final before, and admitted that she never expected to beat Serena and make it this far- she had to cancel her flight out of New York on Saturday. The Italian is unseeded in this year's US Open, making her run even more of a shock, albeit well deserved. Vinci has never reached past a quarterfinal at a slam until now, but she's a five-time Grand Slam doubles champion, with her success peaking over the last three years.
This year's women's final is one that virtually nobody expected. Vinci and Pennetta will face off for their first Grand Slam title, due to both causing huge upsets in their semifinals. Roberta Vinci defeated world number one Serena Williams, one of the biggest upsets in tennis history. Williams was searching for the Calendar Slam, winning all four majors in a season, a feat that no man or woman has done for 27 years. It was an inspired performance from the Italian that denied her making history, and instead, Vinci will seek to make her own legacy. Flavia Pennetta, also from Italy, defeated second seed Simona Halep in the semifinal, as she breezed past in straight sets.
Welcome to live coverage of the US Open women's final! I'm Grace Cooper, and I'll be bringing you point-by-point coverage of the final featuring Roberta Vinci and Flavia Pennetta. The match starts at 3pm ET, and from now until the match begins, news and notes will be above to keep you up to speed. Be sure to return at match time for point-by-point updates!