Flavia Pennetta has defeated fellow Italian Roberta Vinci in straight sets to become the oldest first-time women’s major champion in the Open era.

The 33-year-old Pennetta won the U.S. Open final 7-6 (4), 6-2 on Saturday, a day after Vinci stunned Serena Williams in the semis. Unlike the top-ranked Williams, Pennetta was unfazed by her former junior doubles partner’s slices and volleys, and the 43rd-ranked Vinci couldn’t recapture her brilliant play from Friday.

Both players were in their first major final in this unexpected matchup. Vinci is 32, and their combined age was the highest for a Grand Slam women’s final in the Open era, which started in 1968.

The previous record for the oldest first-time major champion was another Italian: Francesca Schiavone was nearly 30 when she won the 2010 French Open.

This story will be updated


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.