Flavia Pennetta cruised to a 6-1 6-3 win over Simona Halep to become the first Italian to reach the US Open final in the Open Era.
The Italian No. 2 posted a solid 23 to 16 winners to unforced errors differentials against Halepâs 10 to 23 to finish off a 6-1 6-3 win in just 59 minutes.
âI didnât think to be so far in the tournament,â Pennetta siad in her on-court interview. âItâs amazing to be here today. I donât know how to handle all the pressure I have, but I think I played really well.â
The 33-year-old will face either countrywoman Roberta Vinci or six-time winner Serena Williams in Saturdayâs final.
Pennetta seized control of the match early on, on Arthur Ashe, converting just her second break point opportunity to move 3-1 up and then held serves to take a one-set-to-love lead in just 28 minutes.
However, Pennetta refused to yield to the 23-year-oldâs plot for a revival, losing just three out of remaining 23 points â twice breaking the 2014 Wimbledon semi-finalist â to advance into her first Grand Slam final.
Seeded 26th in Flushing Meadows this year, Pennetta is the lowest seed, since her potential opponent in the final Williams (in 2011), to advance into the championship match of the womenâs singles tournament.
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