Italian Delight: Pennetta defeats Vinci in US Open final; promptly retires

[caption id=“attachment_2431788” align=“alignnone” width=“940”] Flavia Pennetta (R) defeated fellow Italian Roberta Vinci in straight sets to claim her maiden Grand Slam title at 33. Friends since childhood in southern Italy, Vinci, 32, and Pennetta had the oldest combined ages of any Open Era Grand Slam final duo. Getty Images[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_2431780” align=“alignnone” width=“940”] Unseeded Roberta Vinci who won over the crowd with her charming post-match interview after defeating Serena Williams in the semis, could not bring her A game against Pennetta, but fought to the end. Getty Images)[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_2431778” align=“alignnone” width=“940”] Flavia Pennetta, who had pulled off an upset win over 2nd seed Simona Halep in the semis, made her better ranking count on the night as she proved too hot for Vinci to handle. Getty Images[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_2431792” align=“alignnone” width=“940”] A moment to savour for Flavia Pennetta. Both are from the southern heel of Italy’s boot, they were childhood friends, then doubles partners and roommates as teens - and the affection shone through in a long hug at the nets. Getty Images.[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_2431784” align=“alignnone” width=“940”] The two long-time friends gave heart-warming presentation speeches filled with smiles all around. Vinci (L) joked if Pennetta thought she played well, maybe they should exchange trophies. Getty Images[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_2431782” align=“alignnone” width=“940”] “This is how I say goodbye to tennis,” Pennetta said as her fiance, tennis player Fabio Fognini, captured the scene with his phone’s camera. “I couldn’t think to finish in a better way.” Getty Images[/caption]