Serena Williams had done it all this year. She had won in Melbourne, in Roland Garros, and in Wimbledon. She was two games away from matching Steffi Graff’s 1988 calendar grand slam.
But Italian world no. 43 Roberta Vinci had other ideas. The 32 year old stopped Serena right in her tracks, winning their Friday night semi final 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 to put the brakes on Serena’s rampaging year.
Serena had cruised through the tournament so far, and with her three grand slam titles in 2015 entered the game as a huge favourite. Vinci had made a low key progress through the rounds, and was therefore given very little chance.
And things seemed to be on course when Serena picked up the first set 6-2. However, errors started creeping into her game and she denigrated into a nervous wreck as the game entered the third set and Vinci showed no signs of slowing down.
Vinci held her nerve and picked up the victory. She advances to the final and faces compatriot Flavia Pennetta Saturday night.