It’s veni, vidi, vici for Vinci as she ends Serena Williams’ grand slam bid

Roberta Vinci stunned Serena Williams in the US Open semi-finals on Friday to end the American’s grand slam bid in one of the greatest upsets in tennis history.

The 43rd-ranked Italian won 2-6, 6-4, 6-4. She had never won a set off the 21-time major champion in four previous meetings and was in her first career grand slam semi-final at age 32.

“I’m sorry for the American people, for Serena, the grand slam, everything...but today is my day,” Vinci said. “I’m proud of myself, my fight and my game. I’d like to say thank you to my coach and my team - grazie! I will enjoy this moment today, and then tomorrow we will see.”

So tense she was guiding in overheads, Williams became increasingly frustrated by Vinci’s defence and creative shot-making in the final two sets. She had won in three sets 11 times in majors this year in her pursuit of the first grand slam since Steffi Graf in 1988, but was unable to dig out of this hole.

Vinci will next meet world No 26 Flavia Pennetta, who shocked second seed Simona Halep 6-1, 6-3 to reach the US Open final.

“When I woke up this morning I said to myself I have a semi-final, just enjoy it, don’t think about Serena. I didn’t expect to win, but I won!” Vinci said.

“I said in my mind ‘put the ball on the court and run. And don’t think about Serena on the other side of the court’.”

Halep had been strong favourite to beat Pennetta, but the Romanian never found her rhythm and the Italian strolled through to her first major final.

“It means everything,” Pennetta said. “It’s amazing. It’s not something I ever thought to come so far here today.

“I think I played really well. I didn’t know how to handle all her pressure I felt. It’s amazing, to be here, on this court, with a crowd like this. I’ve just tried to play every match the best I can, not think too much about the draw, be focused and here I am so I’m really happy.”

Pennetta will be fresh for today’s final after spending just 59 minutes on court.

Halep was sloppy, unable to choose between dictating rallies or relying on her consistent hitting and defence. In the end, she did neither, with 10 winners to Pennetta’s 23 and 23 unforced errors to the Italian’s 16.