Italian PM Renzi flies to NY for all-Italian US Open final
ROME: Italian Premier Matteo Renzi is flying to New York to attend the first all-Italian US Open final.
Fresh off her remarkable upset win over Serena Williams, Roberta Vinci will face childhood rival Flavia Pennetta later Saturday.
A statement from the premier's office says Renzi has canceled his appointments and is flying to the United States with Italian Olympic Committee president Giovanni Malago and Italian Tennis Federation president Angelo Binaghi.
After Vinci's come-from-behind victory over Williams — ending the American's bid at a Grand Slam — Renzi tweeted in Italian: "Marvelous Flavia and Roberta!!!"
Vinci and Pennetta are both from the southern region of Puglia — located in the heel of boot-shaped Italy.
No Italian man or woman has won the US Open singles title before.
Renzi is a big sports fan and a strong supporter of Rome's bid for the 2024 Olympics.