http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/12/sport ... -open.html“The best moment of my life,” said Vinci, who embraced the occasion thoroughly, cupping her hand to her ear and exhorting the crowd after winning a spectacular rally, and crying in her chair after the upset.
Vinci, who had never won a set against Williams in four previous matches, also apologized.
“For the American people, for Serena, for the Grand Slam and everything,” she said. “But today is my day. Sorry, guys.”
Instead of the 33-year-old Williams playing for the Grand Slam in the final on Saturday, it will be 33-year-old Flavia Pennetta facing Vinci, 32, in an all-Italian match that will also feature the oldest players in a women’s major final — in terms of combined age — in the Open era.
The crowd also showed class. Despite what I'm sure was enormous disappointment, they really warmed to her; she got a great reaction:
I'm proud of my fellow citizens for reacting with that kind of good sportsmanship rather than with boos and catcalls...
When was the last time somebody unseeded made it to the final match of the US Open? I'll be rooting for her.





