Pennetta, at 33 the oldest first-time Grand Slam finalist in the Open era, on Saturday became the first Italian to win the US Open women's crown with an efficient 7-6 (4), 6-2 victory over compatriot and childhood friend Roberta Vinci.
Former American world number one Lindsay Davenport, a winner of three Grand Slam singles titles, headlined the list of nominees up for induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Richard Gasquet's career record against Rafael Nadal shows an embarrassing 10 defeats in 10 matches, but the Frenchman can at least boast one victory over the Spaniard - when he was 13.
A year after skipping the US Open because of a bad knee, Rafael Nadal powered his way back to the semifinals at Flushing Meadows by overwhelming Spanish compatriot Tommy Robredo 6-0, 6-2, 6-2 on Wednesday.
Second-seeded Victoria Azarenka moved a win away from a possible showdown in the US Open finals with Serena Williams, beating Daniela Hantuchova 6-2, 6-3 on Wednesday in the quarterfinals.
The US Open has been a stomping ground for Italian female tennis players in recent years, but Flavia Pennetta's journey to the last four has been one of the more unexpected successes.
Victoria Azarenka struck a blow for the younger generation by beating Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia 6-2 6-3 to join a trio of 31-year-olds in the semi-finals of the US Open on Wednesday.
Li Na became China's first player to reach the US Open semifinals, another breakthrough on the court for the woman who delivered Asia's first Grand Slam singles title at the 2011 French Open.
Defending champion Serena Williams walloped Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro 6-0, 6-0 to race into the semifinals of the US Open on Tuesday.
Just when the US Open is getting down to the crucial matches, world No 1 Novak Djokovic found himself in a flawless zone that even he rarely reaches to put himself in the quarterfinals.
Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka spared a thought for an absent countryman after he powered through a high-quality match against Czech Tomas Berdych on Tuesday to reach the quarterfinals of the US Open.
Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka powered through a high-quality match against Czech Tomas Berdych on Tuesday to reach the quarterfinals of the US Open.
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