Roberta
Vinci ended Serena Williams’s dream of a calendar grand slam with a shock 2-6,
6-4, 6-4 victory to set up an all-Italian US Open Final
World No43 Vinci ended Serena William’s hopes of a
calendar grand slam on Friday. Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters
Flavia Pennetta awaits in an all-Italian final,
and either way we will have a new major title winner in the women’s game. For
Serena, the dream of a calendar-year slam ends as she concedes her US Open
crown. Vinci gave up doubles this year to concentrate on her singles career,
and if she can take that title on Saturday it would be a decision pretty well
vindicated. Thanks for reading, bye!
Well
where did that come from? I gave
you the odds before the match and presumably an optimistic Italian tennis fan
somewhere has made a fistful. There is no doubt that Serena Williams was
not at her best, but the way the 32-year-old Vinci glided across the court
covering every inch was so impressive, delivering some fine net play in the
process, and she has dished up perhaps the biggest shock in grand slam
semi-final history.
Vinci
turns to the crowd: “Today is my day. Sorry guys!”
They applaud heartily. What will make this moment feel real, she’s asked. “I
don’t know,” she grins. “Ask another question please.”
Roberta
Vinci: “So many things in my mind, this
was an incredible match, I lost the first set, I tried to stay in every single
point. At the end when I served I was like [mimes being incredibly shaky]. I
think it’s the best moment of my life.”
Vinci wins the third set to reach the US Open final!
*Williams
6-2, 4-6, 4-6 Vinci (*denotes next server)
Vinci
wins the first point with the help of a challenge and then comes up with a
beautifully calm and precise drop-shot half volley at the net to leave Williams
floundering at the baseline. Williams charges in behnd her next backhand but
finds the net with her volley: three match points! Vinci hits Serena
from one corner of the court to the other, pushing her deeper and deeper before
standing still and delivering another perfect drop shot which lands plumb on
the sideline. Vinci is in the US Open final!
Williams
6-2, 4-6, 4-5 Vinci* (*denotes next server)
Williams
takes her time, deep breaths. The calendar-year slam is slipping from her grasp
but she isn’t going to let it go easily. She summons a couple more aces – 16
now in the match – and Vinci will serve for a place in the US Open final.
“At
work, no TV, best running comments are your live updates,” emails John Burgoon.
“Thanks for a superb job, this Williams-Vinci match is a pulse-pounder.” Thanks
John and it really is. Stunning match.
*Williams
6-2, 4-6, 3-5 Vinci (*denotes next server)
At
15-15 Williams goes on the attack, daringly plucking lobs out of the sky with a
fine show of skill. She wins the next point in the same fashion and Williams
has two break-back points. The first she wastes, getting on top in the rally
before flatlining a backhand just long – her unforced error count is 36 to
Vinci’s 19. The second break point goes up in smoke too before Williams
clatters the net with the next and suddenly Vinci is on the verge: one point to
be one game away from knocking out the world No1. Is the 32-year-old nervous?
Too right, out of nowhere delivering one of the most inaccurate double faults
you are likely to see. Despite that, Vinci regathers and Williams thumps a
return wide for the Italian to hold. Incredible.
Williams
6-2, 4-6, 3-4 Vinci* (*denotes next server)
Lethargic
back-to-back double faults have the crowd on edge at 15-30, but Vinci can’t
take a wonderful, inviting chance to give herself two crucial break points,
slicing a backhand volley wide. The Italian then hits a passing shot long but
converts with the next one to push the game to deuce. Tension abound. Serena
pummels a 126mph ace, her most powerful of the match. Then, oh wow: WHAT. A. POINT.
Both players run each other to every corner of the court, chopping the ball at
impossible angles, almost playing from side to side at one moment, until Vinci
keeps her composure to get to the net and finally shake off a rampaging Serena
with a two-punch volley. Majestic tennis and Vinci rightly soaks up the
applause. Williams stands behind the baseline, hands on hips, for at least 30
seconds as the crowd settle down. Break point. Vinci wins it after a Williams
error and she’s broken!
*Williams
6-2, 4-6, 3-3 Vinci (*denotes next server)
Vinci
holds with alarming ease, from the point of view of Serena, or calendar grand
slam fans.
Williams
6-2, 4-6, 3-2 Vinci* (*denotes next server)
Williams
thrashes an impossible backhand on the run crosscourt and it lands plumb on the
sideline halfway between the net and the service line. She lets out an almighty
bellow, followed by a series of screams, shouts, arm waving and general things
you might do perhaps when alerting a ship headed towards disaster. This is
proving harder than anyone thought for the world No1. She holds and the third
set remains on serve.
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