US Open: Roberta Vinci upsets Serena Williams

Unseeded Roberta Vinci defeated Serena Williams in the U.S. Open semifinals to end her pursuit of a Grand Slam in 2015.

Serena Williams is chasing history as she pursues the first single-year Grand Slam in nearly three decades. On Friday she faced unseeded Roberta Vinci in the semifinals after dispatching her sister Venus Williams in the final round.

Vinci on paper was being penciled in as merely a stepping stone for Williams to the Final, which already has seen tickets sell out ahead of the men because of Williams’ dominance.

.@serenawilliams is 43-1 in her #usopen career against unseeded players. Only loss was to wildcard Kim Clijsters in the 2009 semifinals.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 11, 2015

Vinci had other plans and brought it to Serena, winning the first set 6-2. Vinci bounced back to win the second set in convincing fashion 6-4. With things tied heading into the third and final set, Williams raced out to a 2-0 lead. Vinci rallied to tie it at two games apiece.

Third set level at two games apiece. Serena to serve. Vinci deserves a ton of credit for how she's played. #USOpen
— Stanley Kay (@citizen_kay) September 11, 2015

They were level again at three in the third set and Vinci took a 4-3 lead.

Unbelievable: Roberta Vinci breaks Serena Williams, will serve up 4-3 in the third set. #USOpen
— Stanley Kay (@citizen_kay) September 11, 2015

Vinci scored an incredible point and was clearly fired up as she encouraged the crowd to cheer her on.

Crowd goes nuts for Vinci at the US Open https://t.co/Fy0bx2scc1
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) September 11, 2015

While Vinci was playing to the crowd, Williams was hunched over looking almost defeated. As she walked away she paused and looked down at her right foot before adjusting her shoe.

Later Serena seemed ot return the favor albeit a bit more subtely, though she could’ve been trying to motivate herself..

Serena yells in Vinci's direction after scoring point https://t.co/wrl6NRsdNB
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) September 11, 2015

Vinci would still manage to extend her lead to 5-3, putting Serena on the brink of elimination and ending her Grand Slam hopes.

Roberta Vinci leads Serena Williams 5-3 in the third set. Serena to serve. #USOpen
— Stanley Kay (@citizen_kay) September 11, 2015

Williams was able to win the fourth game, narrowing Vinci’s lead to 5-4.Vinci raced out to a 40-0 lead in the next game however, putting Serena in serious jeopardy.

Vinci would go on to win the final set to eliminate Williams and end her historic pursuit of the single year Grand Slam.

Roberta Vinci beats Serena Williams in the US Open https://t.co/zn8iEGi5wI
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) September 11, 2015

Vinci will face Flavia Pennetta in U.S. Open final.

To add a bit of perspective on how stunning this upset was, Williams had previously never lost in a semifinal or final after winning the first set.

Serena Williams had never lost a Grand Slam Semifinal or Final match after winning the first set. She now drops to 38-1. #USOpen
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 11, 2015

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