The Latest on US Open: Serena offers congrats to Pennetta

The Latest on the U.S. Open (all times local):

5:45 p.m.

Flavia Pennetta’s first major title — and surprise retirement announcement — drew congratulations from around the tennis world.

Serena Williams, whose Grand Slam bid ended Friday with a stunning U.S. Open semifinal loss to eventual runner-up Roberta Vinci, tweeted: “congrats I’m so happy you won. You deserved it. I am also happy for the rest of your life’s journey. I will miss your smile.”

Pennetta is the second Italian woman to win a major championship. The first, 2010 French Open winner Francesca Schiavone, tweeted: “Fla, welcome to the club.”

Some other reactions from current and former players:

Caroline Wozniacki: “Wow!! @flavia_pennetta talking about finishing off in style!! Couldn’t happen to a nicer person! Congratulation and happy retirement!!”

Madison Keys: “AND what a way to go out @flavia_pennetta!! Enjoy retirement.”

Sabine Lisicki: “OMG Flavia did not just say that she finishes her career NOW!?!?? @flavia_pennetta #noooo.”

Jimmy Connors: “No better time to retire- on top and a Champion!! Well done!!!!!”

Andy Roddick: “Wow! How cool was that? Talk about walking off in style ....”

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4:55 p.m.

Flavia Pennetta has defeated fellow Italian Roberta Vinci in straight sets to become the oldest first-time women’s major champion in the Open era.

The 33-year-old Pennetta won the U.S. Open final 7-6 (4), 6-2 on Saturday, a day after Vinci stunned Serena Williams in the semis. Unlike the top-ranked Williams, Pennetta was unfazed by her former junior doubles partner’s slices and volleys, and the 43rd-ranked Vinci couldn’t recapture her brilliant play from Friday.

Both players were in their first major final in this unexpected matchup. Vinci is 32, and their combined age was the highest for a Grand Slam women’s final in the Open era, which started in 1968.

The previous record for the oldest first-time major champion was another Italian: Francesca Schiavone was nearly 30 when she won the 2010 French Open, inspiring her two countrywomen.

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4:25 p.m.

Flavia Pennetta has won the first-set tiebreaker 7-4 in the unexpected all-Italian U.S. Open women’s final against Roberta Vinci.

The winner Saturday will be the oldest first-time major champion in the Open era, which started in 1968. Pennetta is 33 and

Vinci stunned Serena Williams in Friday’s semifinal. The 26th-seeded Pennetta beat No. 2 Simona Halep.

This is the first time since the computer rankings started in 1975 that the U.S. Open women’s finalists are ranked outside the top 20.

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1:45 p.m.

Nicolas Mahut, best known for losing the longest match in tennis history, can now be known for being a Grand Slam champion.

The 12th-seeded French pair of Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert teamed up Saturday to win the U.S. Open men’s doubles championship, beating eighth-seeded Jamie Murray of Britain and John Peers of Australia 6-4, 6-4.

It is the first major title for Mahut or Herbert.

Mahut lost to John Isner 70-68 in the fifth set of a first-round match at Wimbledon in 2010 that lasted 11 hours, 5 minutes, spread over three days.

Murray is the older brother of Andy Murray, who won singles titles at the U.S. Open in 2012 and Wimbledon in 2013.

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