Flavia Pennetta and Novak Djokovic Win 2015 US Open Singles Titles

flavia pennetta of italy defeated (her best friend and countrywoman) roberta vinci, 7-6, 6-2, to win the 2015 us open singles championship on saturday in new york city. pennetta, seeded #26, captured the first major singles title of her 15-year career. 

pennetta recorded straight-set wins over stosur, kvitova and halep - all ranked ahead of her - to reach the final. "i just tried to play every match i can from the first, tried not to think of the draw and go match by match. i tried to focus on what i had to do when i go on court, and here i am, so i'm really happy," pennetta said afterwards.    

she received a $3.3 million paycheck for her unexpected, yet proudly successful efforts. during her acceptance speech with espn's robin roberts, in a surprising move, pennetta humbly announced her retirement from the sport. she later admitted to making the decision a month ago. pennetta said, "it's the way i'd like to say goodbye to tennis. i couldn't think to finish in a better way."

pennetta, 33, and vinci, 32, are the oldest women to play in a major singles final in the open era. pennetta is the oldest woman to become a major champion for the first time. this was also the first major singles final for each participant, and the first time since 1975 two us open finalists were out of the top 20. ironically, both women were opponents and doubles partners as kids.

world #1 novak djokovic of serbia defeated world #2 roger federer of switzerland 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 to win the 2015 us open singles championship on sunday in new york city. djokovic became the eighth man in history to hold 10 major singles crowns. 

his career record against federer is now 21-21, and they are now the only men to win three majors in one year - multiple times. djokovic reached the finals of all four majors this year, losing the french open to stan warwinka, federer's countryman and doubles partner. "it's been an incredible year. next to 2011. all those results and achievements are motivation for me to win more," djokovic said.

djokovic, 28, currently holds a 63-5 record for the year, which is the best on tour. he's been the number one player for most of the last four years. djokovic recently married and became a proud father. but the raucous, pro-federer crowd of nearly 23,000 in arthur ashe stadium clearly wanted his opponent to win his elusive 18th major title.  

but djokovic saved 19 of 23 break points during the rain-delayed and highly-competitive match. he's one major behind bjorn borg and rod laver, and only two behind roy emerson. djokovic is coached by multiple-slam winner boris becker of germany. he cites a gluten-free diet, regular meditation and yoga as keys to his success. he fluently speaks eight languages and is working on two more.