TENNIS-OPEN/PENNETTA FAMILY Excitement high as Italians watch two of their countrywomen in US Open Final

Record ID: 139939

  • Title: TENNIS-OPEN/PENNETTA FAMILY Excitement high as Italians watch two of their countrywomen in US Open Final
  • Date: 12th September 2015
  • Summary: BRINDISI, ITALY (SEPTEMBER 12, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS PEOPLE AT RESTAURANT WITH BIG SCREEN SHOWING TENNIS (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) MOTHER OF FLAVIA PENNETTA, LUISA SAYING: "We are here with some friends at the club, we are waiting for this wonderful moment. We will go back home to watch the match with friends." (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) FATHER OF FLAVIA PENNETTA, ANGELO SAYING: "There are two photographs of our players on the main street in New York, because you know in New York when they play the U.S. Open they put the two photographs of the finalist on the street. To have two posters 30-40 metres high with the word Italian underneath, I think the Americans will hate us but the Italians that are there, will be very happy." (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) MEMBER OF LOCAL TENNIS CLUB RITA ARIGLIANO SAYING: "I think Flavia will win, because she has often won against Vinci, even if Vinci has a backhand that is really good, Flavia is playing really well, and she is very ready for the match." (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) MEMBER OF LOCAL TENNIS CLUB RINO ARIGLIANO SAYING: "It is really emotional I am hoping Flavia will win because she is our kid who has grown up here." VARIOUS PEOPLE SITTING INFRONT OF SCREEN WAITING FOR MATCH
  • Embargoed: 27th September 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Italy
  • Country: Italy
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAA4IS3X5Q60TXBJENMC6MA3PHR
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Excited tennis fans crammed into Brindisi tennis club on Saturday (September 12) to watch the all Italian final of the U.S. Open tennis championships when childhood friends and Fed Cup team mates Flavia Pennetta and Roberta Vinci play for the women's title in the last grand slam of the year.
    Born about 70 kilometres (43 miles) apart in southern Italy -- Vinci in Taranto and Pennetta in Brindisi -- they have battled close to even head-to-head, with the 33-year-old Pennetta holding a 5-4 edge, including a U.S. quarter-final win in 2013.
    "We are here with some friends at the club, we are waiting for this wonderful moment" said Pennetta's mother, Luisa, speaking at the local tennis club.
    "We will go back home to watch the match with friends" she said.
    "There are two photographs of our players on the main street in New York, because you know in New York when they play the U.S. Open they put the two photographs of the finalists on the street" said the very proud father of Pennetta, Angelo. To have two posters 30-40 metres high with the word Italian underneath, I think the Americans will hate us but the Italians that are there, will be very happy."
    Clearly tennis fans at Pennetta's local club were hoping she would win.
    "I think Flavia will win, because she has often won against Vinci, even if Vinci has a backhand that is really good, Flavia is playing really well, and she is very ready for the match" said tennis fan Rita Arigliano.
    "It is really emotional I am hoping Flavia will win because she is our kid who has grown up here" said Rino Arigliano.
    The 43rd-ranked Vinci, playing her grand slam singles semi-final, toppled the mighty Serena Williams, while number 26 Pennetta pounded past second seed Simona Halep of Romania to set up a totally unexpected clash in the finals.
    It is the first all-Italian singles final in a grand slam and ensures Italy's first U.S. Open champion and second grand slam champion, after 2010 French Open winner Francesca Schiavone.
    Vinci, a five-times grand slam doubles winner, has posted a 23-20 singles record including her run at the Open. She benefited from a walkover against Canada's 25th seed Eugenie Bouchard, who withdrew after suffering a concussion in the locker room after her third-round match.
    Pennetta is a more accomplished singles player. She has won 10 career titles on the Women's Tennis Association circuit and finished the 2014 season ranked 14th. She has compiled a 23-15 record this year and will start the final a warm favourite.
    Neither player envisioned reaching such heights.
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