Did Anyone See this Happening?
Flavia Pennetta vs. Roberta Vinci
If anyone predicted this final, I’d probably think that person was lying. This is not what the US Open had in mind. Serena Williams was supposed to face someone, anyone for a chance to be the first woman since Steffi Graf in 1988 to win a Grand Slam. Instead two veterans from Italy will battle it out for their first major singles title. Vinci has won a career Grand Slam in doubles and holds 5 major doubles titles. Pennetta has won a single major title in doubles. The two have been part of 4 Federation Cup winning teams from Italy.
Flavia Pennetta is likely to better singles player of the two Italian finalists. At this point, I am not sure how much that matters. I think the player who handles the situation better will win. It is possible either of them will be on such an emotional high that a performance in the zone occurs. It is possible either of them will have an emotional letdown and play poorly. If both players approach the zone, tennis fans will be rewarded for caring about major finals no matter what. If both players play poorly due to letdowns, tennis fans will be punished for caring about major finals no matter what. In either case, casual fans will likely not be watching.
My Prediction: I think Flavia Pennetta completes the unthinkable weekend and wins this match. Flavia Pennetta d. Roberta Vinci 6-4, 6-4
