US Open Tennis 2015 Results: Women's Final Score and Men's Final Predictions

Flavia Pennetta stole the show in the All-Italian final at the U.S. Open by defeating Roberta Vinci 7-6, 6-2 and then made additional news by announcing she would be retiring from tennis.

Pennetta used her solid serve and more powerful groundstrokes to move her opponent and close friend all over the court. After the two battled on nearly even terms in the opening set, Pennetta's efficiency and consistency wore down Vinci.

Both women had earned their spots in the final round following semifinal-round upsets. Pennetta pulled off a striking upset when she defeated No. 2 seed Simona Halep in straight sets, and then Vinci followed with a monumental one when she took down top-seeded Serena Williams in three sets.

Vinci had used an array of drop shots, change-of-pace shots, lobs and cross-court shots to take down Williams, who was gunning for the calendar-year Grand Slam. She was not as effective in her strategy against her countrywoman.

Player	Opponent	Venue	Time (ET)	Television	Livestream	Prediction
Novak Djokovic (1)	Roger Federer (2)	Arthur Ashe	4 p.m.	ESPN	ESPN3	Djokovic

Pennetta and Vinci were both all smiles after the match at the awards ceremonies. In an interview with ESPN's Robin Roberts, Pennetta told the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium that she had made the decision to leave the sport, and she was going out as the U.S. Open champion.

"This one was my last match at the U.S. Open," she said, "and I can't think of a better way to finish. This is how I would like to say goodbye to tennis.

"It's what all the players want to do going out with [bringing] this big trophy home." Ben Rothenberg of the New York Times and Caroline Wozniacki shared their thoughts on Pennetta retiring:

"

Missed #USOpen trophy ceremony…wow, Flavia Pennetta. Retiring on top is how they all say to do it, but to actually do it? Thoroughly badass.

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) September 12, 2015"

"

Wow!! @flavia_pennetta talking about finishing off in style!! Couldn't happen to a nicer person! Congratulation and happy retirement!!💃🎉🏆

— Caroline Wozniacki (@CaroWozniacki) September 12, 2015"

On the men's side, top-seeded Novak Djokovic and second-seeded Roger Federer will meet Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. to decide the championship.

Both of them rolled into the final after one-sided victories in the semifinal round. Djokovic simply steamrolled defending champion Marin Cilic 6-0, 6-1, 6-2 in a match that took one hour and 25 minutes and saw Djokovic win eight of 10 games on Cilic's serve.

Federer defeated Swiss countryman Stan Wawrinka in overpowering fashion as well, registering a 6-4, 6-3, 6-1 victory. Federer was on the court five minutes longer than Djokovic was in his victory.

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Djokovic defeated Federer in four sets in the Wimbledon final to earn that prestigious championship in early July. Federer returned serve by beating Djokovic in straight sets in the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati last month.

Federer leads Djokovic 21-20 in their all-time series, and each player seems to bring out the best in the other. It's a rivalry Christopher Clarey of the New York Times discussed, saying it "remains at its peak": 

"

Golden age of men's tennis has been built on great rivalries. Only one remains at its peak http://t.co/ed7goxTp4c pic.twitter.com/FUyk7V27re

— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) September 12, 2015"

"He's had a tremendous year," Federer said afterward of Djokovic (h/t Greg Garber of ESPN.com). "There's a lot on the line when we play each other. He's tough to beat. I like that challenge, and I'll be ready for it."

Federer's play since the Wimbledon final has been marked by his razor-sharp serve and his aggressive return. Federer has been attacking the second serve of many of his opponents by racing in from the baseline and taking the ball on the rise and sending it back over the net quickly.

While it has worked well for him thus far, Djokovic's quickness and athleticism are two of his greatest assets, and it's questionable whether that strategy will work as well against this opponent.

Federer should give Djokovic his best game, and he will extend Djokovic to the limit. However, at the end of the five-set match, we expect Djokovic to validate his No. 1 seed and win the championship.