Pennetta Restores Italian Order

Flavia Pennetta has been Italy's No.1 for a few years before a serious right wrist injury, cumulated with the rise of her compatriots, Francesca Schiavone, Sara Errani, and Roberta Vinci, saw her lose the spotlight. 

The first Italian female to break into the top 10 in singles in August 2009, as well as Italy's first ever world No.1 in doubles, Flavia suffered tremendously for not being able to play at her full potential lately. In the last seasons, which were plagued by injuries, she stood by and witnessed as her compatriots stole the limelight. Schiavone won Roland Garros in 2010 and made the final in 2011. Errani also made the final of the French Open last season, as well as the semis at Flushing Meadows. Even Roberta Vinci made the last eight in New York, in addition to claiming three Grand Slam doubles trophies with Errani, a performance that made them the world's best doubles team.

So while her compatriots were taking over the world, Flavia was sidelined, recovering from a recent wrist injury that forced her to miss last year's US Open. "I was at Brindisi, recovering from the operation and I was with my parents and watching some of the tennis on the television," she said. "I was pleased that Sara was having an excellent tournament but on the other hand I was very unhappy that I wasn't here." Lots of questions went through her mind, as she wondered when, and if, she would ever reach the same level as in the past. "I hoped I could do it. It didn't come so easy at the start of the year for me but of course I wanted to get back and I hoped I could," she confessed. 

When she lost the quarterfinal match to Kerber in 2011, I felt she missed her date with destiny. Having taken out Sharapova in the earlier rounds, Pennetta had a good chance of making the US Open final that year. However she succumbed to the unheralded German, letting a huge opportunity go by. I didn't think she would get a second chance, especially not at this edition, but she did. At her favourite tournament, Flavia came out guns and blazers to crush her higher-ranked compatriots, Errani and Vinci, as well as former champion, Svetlana Kuznetsova, and fabulous Romanian, Simona Halep, to reach her first Grand Slam semifinal. "These are the two most beautiful weeks of my life, I feel like a player again after all the problems that I've had," declared the Italian. "I feel great at the moment, New York is a place that is truly incredible for me, it is so full of good memories."

Flavia did get a bit lucky with the draw, but all credit goes to her for remaining focused and mentally tough to achieve this incredible feat. I do not believe she can overcome Azarenka to reach the final, but still she has plenty of reasons to be proud of herself and her great run: "I just try to keep working and working in the same way every day. I starting to feel more my forehand, my backhand. Everything starting to feel more normal in the way it was before the injury. And I think I've played really good tennis here, especially with Sara and with Kuznetsova. Every day has felt much better," she added. "I'm proud of myself now. I'm 31, and physically I feel good at last. I'm in my first semi-final in a Grand Slam. There is nothing else to say."

With 30s becoming the new 20s, the more experienced players are clearly dominating this year's US Open. Three of the four semifinalists are over 30, Azarenka being the only exception at 24. Congrats Flavia on an impressive run!

Flavia began her assault at the US Open by stunning her compatriot Sara Errani, seeded four, 6-3,6-1 in the second round. She followed up on the win with a 7-5,6-1 victory against former champion, Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Probably the stiffest test came against hot-gun Romanian, Simona Halep, in the fourth round. The more experienced Flavia used all her wisdom to come through 6-2,7-6 to reach her fourth US Open quarterfinal.

Pennetta restored order in the Italian squad, dismissing higher ranked compatriot, Roberta Vinci, 6-4,6-1 to book her place in her first Grand Slam semifinal.

photos: GETTY IMAGES