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 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.
"All-Italian, yes!" said 32-year-old Vinci, after derailing
Williams' bid for a first calendar-year Grand Slam sweep in 27
years.
"And tomorrow one Italian win for sure," added Vinci, brandishing a
thumbs-up.
Born about 70 kilometers (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.
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 favorite.
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Pennetta will also be playing her first grand slam final after
beating twice Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, the fifth seed, in
the quarter-finals, and 22nd-seeded former U.S. champion Sam Stosur
of Australia in the fourth round.
Neither player envisioned reaching such heights.
"I didn't have a goal so high," Pennetta said. "I have to be honest.
I was always thinking I would like to play Rome, for sure, because
when I was really young every year my mom and my dad bring me to see
the tournament.
"My goal was just to play Rome, to be a good Italian player. Not
good in the world, but in Italy."
Said Vinci: "I'm 32, almost at the end of my career, and then I make
the first U.S. Open final in grand slam. I didn't expect this."
Pennetta, who played in Friday's earlier semi-final, said: "If I
play against Roberta, it's going to be nice for everyone. Doesn't
matter who is gonna win. It's going to be a big thing.
"Of course you want to win, but you gonna hug her if she gonna win.
It's amazing. Doesn't matter."
(Editing by Andrew Both)
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