Italian fans on Monday were
still savouring one of the nation's finest weekends of sporting
success, led by Flavia Pennetta triumph over her compatriot
Roberta Vinci in the final of tennis' US Open and cyclist Fabio
Aru's triumph in the Vuelta a España.
The Azzurri basketball team, meanwhile, crushed Israel
82-52 to reach the EuroBasket quarterfinals, while Valentino
Rossi made a step forward in his bid for a 10th motorcycling
world championship title despite only coming fifth at Sunday's
San Marino Grand Prix.
The Italian rhythmic gymnastics team chipped on too, with
Marta Pagnini, Sofia Lodi, Alessia Maurelli, Camilla Patriarca,
Andrea Stefanescu taking gold in the 5 ribbons event at the
world championship in Stuttgart
Pennetta has announced that she is to quit tennis after
beating Vinci 7-6, 6-2 in a remarkable all-Italian final at the
US Open on Saturday for her first singles Grand Slam title.
"Before I started this tournament, one month ago, I made a
big decision in my life. And this is why I would like to say
goodbye to tennis," Pennetta told the crowd, which included
Italian Premier Matteo Renzi, who flew out specially to attend
the unprecedented encounter.
"I'm really happy. It's what all players want to do, go
home with one of these big trophies. So this one was my last
match at the US Open and I couldn't think to finish a better
way.
"I want to thank everyone who supported me during my
career. All my coaches, my family, who aren't here, but they're
going to be proud of me. I love you guys".
Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport has proposed building an
Italian Mount Rushmore devoted to both Pennetta and Vinci, who
stunned world number 1 Serena Williams in the semis, halting the
American's bid to win all four majors in the same year.
On Monday Pennetta returned to the top 10 of women's
tennis for the first time in over five years after her win,
rising 18 places to eighth - her best position since June 2010,
when she was also eighth - in the latest WTA rankings.
Vinci gained 24 spots to 19th.
"I'm really happy," Vinci said on her return to Italy
Monday.
"I have lots of reasons to be satisfied about the US Open.
I had a wonderful tournament. It's a shame I lost the final, but
it was against Flavia, and that's something that I kind of
like".
Aru said a dream had come true on Sunday when he became
the sixth Italian to win Spain's Vuelta a España.
"I've made a dream come true. I'm very emotional and
happy," said the 25-year-old Sardinian.
"I want to thank my team mates, who believed in me and
helped me until the end," added the Astana rider.
"We pulled off a wonderful team effort".
Rossi, who is aiming for his eighth premium class world
title, paid the price of poor strategy on Sunday, coming home
fifth having held the lead in a race won by reigning world
champion Marc Marquez because he delayed changed bikes in wet
conditions.
Nevertheless, he was able to extend his championship lead
to 23 points with five races to go after his Yamaha team mate
and main title rival Jorge Lorenzo crashed out.
Rossi has 247 points, while Lorenzo is second with 224 and
Marquez is third on 184.
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