"I didn't expect this," Tennis star speaks on victory over Serena

After one of the biggest sporting upsets in recent memory, Roberta Vinci confirmed what most were feeling: "I didn't expect this".

Vinci ended the Grand Slam bid of home favourite Serena Williams 2-6 6-4 6-4 on Friday, the world number 43 winning more than four games in any one set against the world number one for the first time in what was their fifth career meeting.

"No... It's incredible. It's incredible. I'm 32, almost at the end of my career, and then I make the first US Open final in grand slam. I didn't expect this," an excited Vinci said.

Vinci did not expect it so much she had already booked her flight home. It might feel like Italy comes to New York on Saturday, however.

Flavia Pennetta will be on the other side of the net, and a healthy dose of expatriates are expected to cheer on a different history-making moment to what all were expecting, that is an all-Italian grand slam final.

Coincidentally, Vinci and Pennetta's most recent career clash was on centre court at Flushing Meadows - the latter emerging a 6-4 6-1 winner in the 2013 US Open quarter-finals.

Vinci, who has won just two hard-court titles in her career, said she was planning on a better showing against her long-time friend.

"What does it mean to play? Yeah, will be a tough match for both tomorrow. I think a lot of pressure," the 32-year-old said.

"But we know each other for a long time. I played against her three or four years ago and I lost on the centre court.

"I remember that I was completely scared, like a little bit blocked. I didn't play. I didn't play in that case.

"So I hope that tomorrow, I will do my best. But I will like to play, enjoy, enjoy and to play my game, and not so stressed or tight. Because it's a finals. It's normal. Come on. Enjoy. That's it."