US Open women's singles final

Our man in New York, Piers Newbery, has just been listening to what Flavia Pennetta had to say in her post-match news conference at Flushing Meadows. Of particular interest to the waiting journalists was the lowdown on the retirement plans which she announced seconds after winning her first Grand Slam title.

Now Pennetta has confirmed she is not packing in straight away, but playing on - as we suspected she meant - until the end of the year.

While Flavia Pennetta celebrates her win tonight, Britain's Jordanne Whiley is hoping to match her achievement in the wheelchair event tomorrow.

Whiley, 23, reached her first Grand Slam final earlier with victory over Aniek Van Koot at Flushing Meadows.

She earned a 6-7 (1-7) 6-4 6-3 triumph over the Dutch second seed, and will now play her doubles partner Yui Kamiji in Sunday's final.

• Oldest first-time Grand Slam winner in the Open Era, aged 33 years and six months
• Fourth oldest Grand Slam champion of the Open Era
• Second Italian woman to win Slam title after Francesca Schiavone at 2010 Roland Garros

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Flavia Pennetta on her future: "Before I started this tournament one month ago, I decided that this is the way I would say goodbye to tennis. This is my last and I couldn't think of finishing in a better way."

2015 US Open champion Flavia Pennetta on her straight-sets victory: "I'm really happy. I never thought I would get so far, I never though I would be a champion. This is one of my favourite tournaments, I enjoy playing here. I really appreciate what my team did for me. It's a dream come true, and it's also nice to play with a friend of mine - we have known each other since we were really young, we spend so much time together we could write a book about my life."

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Pennetta is close to tears as she takes the acclaim inside Ashe - not least because Vinci nabs the winner's cheque from her grasp. Pennetta's prize money of $3.3m is almost a third of her previous combined career earnings. Sure she will get it back from her childhood friend. Perhaps at the expense of a swanky meal in Manhattan later.

Oh my word! Flavio Pennetta drops a bombshell that we weren't expecting - the 33-year-old champion announces in her post-match interview that she plans to retire. Talk about going out on a high!

Losing finalist Roberta Vinci: "Grazie! It was tough, I passed the 24 hours with a lot of things on my mind. But I am really happy and really happy for Flavia. It's tough to play against a player who you have known for a long time. I tried to play my best, but Flavia played unbelievable and I have to say congrats to her."

The charismatic, and ever-smiling, Vinci wowed the Flushing Meadows crowd with her on-court interview after beating Serena yesterday - and she is back on the charm offensive today. She urges them to support her again next year, which the fans lap up, then she thanks the Italian Prime Minister for flying over to New York for the occasion.

More warming scenes in Ashe that are actually bordering on the extraordinary. The two finalists sit side-by-side on court, grinning and joking together like they would be while sipping an espresso together in a rustic Apulia coffee shop. Great to see.

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Warming scenes as the Italian comrades lovingly embrace at the net, before Pennetta sprints over to her box to celebrate her maiden Grand Slam title. At the age of 32 remember - she's the oldest first-time Slam champion. Don't give up on your dreams folks.

"Pennetta played solid and aggressive. She got her nerves settled and finished really strong."

Apparently Flavio Pennetta's boyfriend Fabio Fognini legged it out of the Arthur Ashe Stadium just before that deciding game. What a time to need the gents. Perhaps the nerves got to him. Luckily he appears to have nipped back in time to see the winning point, a thumping forehand winner to clinch the game - and title - in style with a break to love.

Pennetta clenches her raised fist and chunters something in Italian - and possibly something you wouldn't say to your mother - when Vinci misses the target to put Pennetta 40-30 ahead. Pennetta then has her old friend scrabbling with a lob shot that she can't return - cue more Pennetta celebrations. Now she is one game away from the US Open title....

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"It's crunchtime for Flavia Pennetta. If she wants the US Open, she has to take control in this game. She looks so nervous she can't even see straight."

Our meteorologist experts in the Big Apple tell us that the skies are ever darkening over Flushing Meadows. The heavens opening now could well suit Vinci, give her time to recover and possibly disrupt Pennetta's momentum. However, Vinci is doing that quite well herself at the moment, holding on to her serve with a deep forehand winner.

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Hang about, it can't be. Can it? We have signs of a Vinci fightback as Serena's conqueror claws one of those Pennetta breaks back. Vinci spurns one at 30-40 as she steps forward and goes for the jugular but sends a miserable volley scooting wide. But wait! She has another chance in deuce and this time makes no mistake as she smashes in the winner.

"Pennetta has really found that backhand down the line now. It's one of her best shots - she was missing it in the first set, but she's looking very comfortable setting up the points for that shot now."

High-risk stuff from Vinci. After a baseline slug fest at 0-15, she gambles on a loose Pennetta return, charging forward for a drop-volley. But it is a difficult shot to execute - as illustrated because she finds the net. The crowd get behind her as she claws a point back, only for Pennetta to slam a double backhand down the line for 15-40 and another pair of break points.

Vinci saves one with a forehand winner - but that is as good as it gets for the world number 43. A tame backhand fails to clear the tape and that puts Pennetta a double break up.

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Vinci has a sniff of a break at 15-30, only to top a forehand return into the net. "Ooooh," groans the Ashe crowd. However, Vinci does not have to wait long for a break back point. Pennetta overcooks a forehand and then looks up to her box in absolute disgust.

However, Pennetta produces a big first serve when it matters, forcing Vinci into a wild forehand. Deuce. And Pennetta - who has a little more power in her locker - ties up a crucial hold. She is three games away from the US Open title....

"I think Vinci could have made a couple of those decisions a little bit differently, but that's credit to Pennetta's movement."

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Breakthrough for Pennetta! The Italian 26th seed clenches her fist in victory as she snaffles the first of two break points in Vinci's first service game of the second set.

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"The Italians can drop shot. They've been doing it since birth."

Great start from Pennetta, who crunches a forehand winner for 15-0. Back comes Vinci with an inventive dropshot that Ashe purring, but Pennetta keeps cool to charge forward and guide in a volley at the net for 30-15. Vinci levels but Pennetta again keeps her head to see out the hold.

So Pennetta takes the first set against Vinci as the dark clouds home in on Flushing Meadows. Remember Vinci lost the first set yesterday as well....

* denotes next server

"Pennetta is having trouble creating an angle from down the middle. But when Vinci gives her an angle, she can answer back with an angle."

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After exactly one hour (longer than Pennetta's entire semi-final yesterday), Vinci sends a return into the net, and the 26th seed takes the opening set.

Pennetta back on serve....first effort is too long. Vinci sends the second serve back over the baseline - two set points for Pennetta.

Oof, that was close. Pennetta tracks down a smash from Vinci but sends her backhand just wide.

A decent baseline rally ends when Vinci becomes a little impatient, slamming a forehand into the net. Chance for Pennetta...

Pennetta hooks a backhand wide, and we're back on serve.

Pennetta remains firmly in control, a sliced backhand from Vinci going long. Quick changeover - and a swig of water - and we're back under way....

Pennetta gets the first mini-break as Vinci sends a wild forehand long.

Pennetta is livid with herself, missing a makeable forehand return to let Vinci off the hook.

Vinci sends a forehand into the tramlines to allow Pennetta to sneak ahead

Ooof! A big service winner from Pennetta levels.

Vinci takes the opening point on serve with a forehand down the line.

Oh my word! A half volley from Pennetta is crisp - and holds her serve. A tiebreak is going to decide this first set....

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"Vinci is staying very consistent on the baseline, moving the forehand around really well and using the whole court."

Vinci is trying to slice her way through Pennetta's defence, and manages to make a couple of incisions during deuce to keep her serve.

Vinci races into 40-0 lead to move within touching distance of the hold. But then Pennetta goes on the attack - almost as she has nothing to lose. A walloping backhand down the line reduces the advantage to 40-15, then forces Vinci into a pair of backhand errors to set up deuce. On we go...

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Pennetta attacks a high ball to move 40-0 ahead, only to see that gap reduced when Vinci pulls a beautiful passing winner out of the top drawer. That evens draws applause from Pennetta, who is beaten on the opposite side by another perfect Vinci winner. However, Pennetta avoids another wobble with a forehand winner to hold.

"I feel like this is a regular WTA match, it's going to come down to who can hold serve better."

"It's a bit like a classical music concert. The crowd are here to be entertained, but they're not really taking an emotional interest in the match."

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This is more like the Roberta Vinci that stunned Serena Williams yesterday. The world number 43 is finding her groove now, pushing and pulling Flavia Pennetta around the court, then hitting her with some big winners. That's three games on the bounce for Vinci - now she is another break away from the first set....

"Pennetta is lifting her body every time he hits that return, and that's why they're going so long. That's definitely nerves. Vinci is playing stronger, Pennetta is just pushing at the ball."

"I thought a couple of games ago they were starting to settle down but the nerves came back into play there."

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An ace out wide seems to settle Pennetta's nerves - but then she presses the self-destruct button. Vinci turns the game around in deuce, teeing up her first break point, and snaffling the opportunity as Pennetta goes long. Jittery from Pennetta.

Pennetta begins to look more relaxed, easing into a 30-0 lead, before a casual half volley from the baseline allows Vinci to crack a fierce forehand winner for 30-15. Pennetta recovers as she forces Vinci into a rogue forehand - but then crumbles with the game in her grasp. Her first double fault of the match - at 40-30 - takes the eighth game into deuce....

We wondered how much yesterday's win over Serena Williams would affect Vinci. So far she looks a little tense but finds her rhythm, springing out of the traps towards the net, to hold another service game. But she is still break down. And we're told that the skies above Flushing Meadows are becoming increasingly dark....

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"I almost feel like the fact that the Italian Prime Minister is here is making both players more nervous. They need to get a lot of rallies under their belt to get comfortable in this match."

Pennetta continues to pummel Vinci's backhand, then bashes a backhand winner down the opposite line for 15-0. A wonderful ace soon follows for 40-0 - or is it? Vinci challenges, but it is no challenge. Pennetta's serve is inch-perfect, dusting both the baseline and the centre line. Then, Vinci slaps a weary looking backhand volley into the net as Pennetta holds to love.

The chances keep landing in Pennetta's path - and finally she takes one! At the seventh attempt, the 26th seed breaks her old friend's serve. A hard stare at her box and a fistpump tell us she's rather happy.

"Pennetta didn't make any return errors in the semi-final but so far today she's really struggling with the return. She's not accelerating on either side and that's why they're sailing long. Both players look very nervous."

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This is turning into a battle of the backhands. Vinci's single-handed technique is being probed by her Italian compatriot, who misses her third chance by going long. More errors litter this game as Pennetta sees two more break points disappear down the drain. Past the seven-minute mark in this game now...

Uh oh. First sign of trouble - and it is Vinci who has to dig herself out of a hole. Pennetta sets up two break points, only to throw both opportunities away with unforced backhand errors. Vinci appears to be targeting that double backhand, doing exactly the same as Pennetta misses a third break point of the game...

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Italian male tennis player Fabio Fognini, who I understand is romantically linked to Flavio Pennetta, clocks himself on the screen after watching his beau smash level at 15-15. He pretends he didn't see himself - he did. Another crisp volley from Pennetta moves her 40-15 ahead and then she hopes a forehand across the court wins her the game. It is called out, she challenges, and the computer technology tells us there is the width of a cigarette paper between ball and white paint. But Pennetta manages to complete the job in deuce.

"The reason why I favour Pennetta in this is because she dispatched Monica Niculescu so easily [in the second round], and she is like an extreme version of Roberta Vinci. She can play the slice but can she handle the pressure?"

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A minor wobble from Vinci as she double faults for 15-15, but then the world number 43 springs forward on the attack, volleying at the net to surprise Pennetta. More variation from Vinci wraps up another routine hold. Time for a changeover and for the big screen to pick out some celebrities who I have no chance of recognising....

"Pennetta's backhand is probably one of the best shots in women's tennis. But it's who will win the forehand-to-forehand duel that will make the difference."

These two know each other's games better than a husband and wife who have been married for 40 years. They become embroiled in a couple of backhand baseline rallies as Pennetta leads 30-15, before the server ups the ante with a thunderous ace. She puffs out her cheeks with that nerve settler, then ties up the hold.

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"That was a very nervy start from Pennetta. She's one of the most consistent players on tour and she's just made four straight errors."

Solid start from Vinci, who is desperate to land her first serve in the opening game. That she does to good effect in a quick hold. A few signs of nerves from Pennetta, clubbing a couple of returns long and wide as she loses to love.

Here we go. Vinci to serve first....

"One minute," barks out the umpire. Both players use their final 60 seconds of preparation wisely, slamming down some warm-up serves. Almost show-time....

Something special must have happened to kick football off the back pages of the Italian newspapers. And the first all-Italian women's Grand Slam final during the Open Era certainly fits into that category. And those journalists responsible for designing the front page of 'La Gazzetta dello Sport' handily decided to show their love for Vinci and Pennetta in English...

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"I cannot remember a bigger upset than Vinci beating Serena Williams. I still can't really believe it happened."

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Show me someone who says they predicted a Pennetta v Vinci final and I'll show you a liar. No-one could have imagined these two players contesting tonight's final on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Even they could barely believe it.

Vinci claimed she "did not even dream" of beating Serena, while Pennetta also admitted she never though she could reach the final. Well ladies, you have.

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Hats off to Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi - a man who never loses sight of the priorities in life.

Renzi has cancelled all his weekend engagements and headed to New York on Saturday for the first all-Italian women's final at the US Open.

No word yet on whether he will be adopting this exact facial expression as he watches from the expensive seats.

Oh, hang on - we've just seen him pop up on screen. He is wearing that trademark pout, while clapping enthusiastically. Well, it does beat schmoozing other European political leaders around a glass meeting table while drinking Swiss sparkling water.

Here we go. Both players stride out on to Arthur Ashe Stadium, Vinci first wearing a smile wider than the Hudson river, Pennetta following with a slightly sterner expression. Huge cheers for each, but Vinci - after her endearing on-court interview yesterday - possibly wins the first battle of the day in the volume levels.

"Jamie Murray and John Peers have just completed their post-final press conference, understandably downbeat - "Once you get there, you want to win, don't you?" says the elder Murray brother. Still, Davis Cup excitement awaits him next week. A sprint back from Interview Room One and the weather is looking better than forecast, for now at least. And Ashe stadium is filling up, so not everyone went straight on the ticket exchanges last night."

First round: Jarmila Gajdosova (Australia) 6-1 3-6 6-1

Second round: Monica Niculescu (Romania) 6-1 6-4

Third round: Petra Cetkovska (Czech Republic) 1-6 6-1 6-4

Last 16: 22 Sam Stosur (Australia) 6-4 6-4

Quarter-final: 5 Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic) 4-6 6-4 6-2

Semi-final: 2 Simona Halep (Romania) 6-1 6-3

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"Physically, Vinci will be fine, but it's very hard to recover emotionally from the biggest win of your career. But I think she'll get over that."

One would expect Roberta Vinci to be physically and emotionally drained after yesterday's stunning win against Serena. Wouldn't you? The smiley Italian insists she is not worried about any fatigue and is just going to "enjoy" the final. We will know shortly...

First round: Vania King (US) 6-4 6-4

Second round: Denisa Allertova (Cze) 2-6 6-3 6-1

Third round: Mariana Duque-Marino (Col) 6-1 5-7 6-2

Last 16: 25 Eugenie Bouchard (Can) Walkover

Quarter-final: Kristina Mladenovic (Fra) 6-3 5-7 6-4

Semi-final: 1 Serena Williams (US) 2-6 6-4 6-4

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Ashe is filling up rather nicely, despite fears many punters wouldn't turn up after Serena's exit. Ticket prices, however, dropped sharpish overnight, meaning if you happened to be hanging around New York City then you might have got your hands on a bargain. We're still waiting for the players to arrive as Ciara - the Grammy Award winning R'n'B songstress, of course - belts out the American national anthem. More patriotism than a scene from Forrest Gump.

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These two go way back. I mean, way back.

Here they are, back in 1999, winning the French Open girls' doubles title at the ages of 17 and 16 respectively.

Sadly, only one of them will be holding the trophy at the end of today...

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Vinci, the unseeded world number 43, was the villain of the piece in Serena's demise - at least until she charmed the Arthur Ashe Stadium with a wonderfully warm on-court interview after her 2-6 6-4 6-4 win.

Now the 33-year-old faces compatriot Pennetta, aged almost exactly a year younger, in an all-Italian final.

Pennetta, ranked 26th in the world, had her semi-final thunder stolen somewhat, having caused a shock of her own by beating second seed Simona Halep.

Clearly not the final that anyone predicted yesterday - but an intriguing match nonetheless. The players are due to stroll out of the locker room in the next few minutes.

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Ciao! In a city which has the largest population of Italian Americans in the United States, it seems rather fitting there is a distinct Azzurri flavour to tonight's action.

The shockwaves are still reverberating around the Five Boroughs - and across the States - after hot favourite Serena saw her hopes of a first calendar Grand Slam swiped away from her yesterday.

However, Little Italy was - and still will be - rocking in celebration. And tonight the bars and restaurants in that part of the Big Apple will be rammed for the contest between Roberta Vinci, Serena's conqueror, and Flavia Pennetta.

Whoever wins tonight is guaranteed to be crowned the oldest first-time Grand Slam champion in the Open Era.

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History was made by people desperate to see history. For the first time, the US Open women's singles final sold out before the men's showpiece at this year's tournament.

Why? Because American fans anticipated witnessing a tennis moment that they would never forget. Unfortunately for them, home darling Serena Williams will not be providing that cherished memory tonight...

Well, Jamie Murray's US Open ultimately ends in disappointment, but it's been a great tournament for him and John Peers.

You have to tip your cap to Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut - they were simply the better team today.

Join us at around 20:00 for the women's final between Flavia Pennetta and Roberta Vinci. See you then!

John Peers after his defeat alongside Jamie Murray:  "It has been a great ride. We have had our ups and downs but you have got to look for positives. It has been a lot of fun but unfortunately we couldn't win today."

Jamie Murray on losing his second Grand Slam final of 2015:  "I'm starting to know what my brother Andy felt like for a long time! But, in reaching the Wimbledon final and now the US Open final, we have had a great year and are very fortunate and blessed to do that. We have put in a lot of hard work and will keep trying to get over the line."

Quote Message: The adrenaline took over for the French team in that final point. It was an immense point by all four players. But the French team, especially Herbert, came out strong. Herbert was much better than the other three players throughout in my opinion.

The adrenaline took over for the French team in that final point. It was an immense point by all four players. But the French team, especially Herbert, came out strong. Herbert was much better than the other three players throughout in my opinion.

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Mahut absolutely smashes one wide on the return and has a chuckle to himself...

Some wonderful play from Herbert opens up 15-40 and two match points ...

Quote Message: The French duo are all smiles - they are very happy and content. They look very relaxed. If they break here they will be US Open champions.

The French duo are all smiles - they are very happy and content. They look very relaxed. If they break here they will be US Open champions.

However, expert summariser Jeff Tarango reckons there is "plenty of time for smiling afterwards". What a misery.

That Herbert serve really is a thing of wonder. He starts at a low crouch, almost dangling the ball at ankle height, before exploding into a high toss and a languid yet powerful strike in one fluid motion. Murray and Peers haven't been able to make any impression on his serve all match - he holds to love again.

Nervous moments for Murray/Peers. First the Aussie swats a volley wide, then Pierre-Hugues Herbert curls an absolutely delightful, feather-light forehand into the vacant cross-court tramlines. 

Three first serves from Peers seem to have seen him to safety, but a fractionally long volley drags the British-Aussie duo back to deuce. But a good volley from Murray and a good serve seal an excellent hold.

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Quote Message: That's the scary thing about tennis, everything is rolling along and then it's 30-30 on your serve, you get nervous for one point and it's over in a flash. I say to my partner, 'come on, let's play the rest of this set like pieces of popcorn. Just pop around, stay hyper and keep going'.

That's the scary thing about tennis, everything is rolling along and then it's 30-30 on your serve, you get nervous for one point and it's over in a flash. I say to my partner, 'come on, let's play the rest of this set like pieces of popcorn. Just pop around, stay hyper and keep going'.

In the first set Nicolas Mahut's serve looked like a bit of a weak link for the French pairing but he's found his radar and the duo are looking impregnable at the moment. Murray and Peers have only won three points against the serve all set - are they holding out for a tie-break?

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John Peers is like a human Venus fly trap at the net - nothing gets past him on the volley. The Aussie plucks a couple of French groundstrokes out of the air as Jamie Murray continues to make serene progress on serve.

So far Pierre-Hugues Herbert is sauntering through his service games like a man enjoying a Sunday stroll through the Jardin des Plantes  - Murray and Peers can't put any pressure on the younger Frenchman's delivery. Another straightforward hold.

A super game from John Peers - the Aussie finds his range with the serve and the polishes the game off with a razor-sharp volley. 

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Quote Message: I think Jamie Murray needs to empower John Peers and say: "Hey buddy why don't you be captain of this ship?" He just needs to get him going and stir him with some positive energy - something to encourage his partner to find that zone.

I think Jamie Murray needs to empower John Peers and say: "Hey buddy why don't you be captain of this ship?" He just needs to get him going and stir him with some positive energy - something to encourage his partner to find that zone.

I'm just not sure about the adult ball-kids at the US Open - I can't get used to seeing fully grown men scurrying around after tennis balls. Do these people have to ask their boss for time off work to be a ballboy?

Mahut is looking a bit more relaxed on serve now, and four scudding deliveries see him through to a love hold.

The Murray/Peers combo look a lot more solid when the Scot is serving and the Aussie is at the net - Peers punches away a couple of crisp volleys as they get themselves on the board in the second set.

Jamie Murray is playing really well right now but it is all for nothing if you're not playing well together as a team. That last point Peers should have crossed after that great return from Jamie. I bet Jamie wishes Andy Murray was out there with him now.

So Murray and Peers with it all to do now - the French duo will have relaxed a little after taking that first set and that could make them very dangerous customers, with those long limbs swinging just a little more freely.

Herbert, who has been the most untroubled of the four players on serve, eases effortlessly through another service game.

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I think Peers needs to step it up a little and let that first set go. As well as getting tight in that ninth game, he also got tight on his service game. But Mahut and Herbert returned well and were very aggressive in that final game.

Big pressure now on the John Peers serve, and the Aussie immediately shows the strain with a double fault. Murray jogs across with a fist bump and a consoling word, but it makes no difference as his next serve is smashed down the line by Mahut. 

The French duo then get the better of a rat-a-tat exchange at the net, and suddenly they have three set points . Murray sends a volley long, and in the blink of an eye, the first set is gone.

In the beginning both teams served well to get out of break points. In this situation when Murray and Peers had the opportunity, I think Peers got a little tight.

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Nicolas Mahut has a reputation as a very solid server but Jamie Murray is causing him all sorts of problems with his sheer timing off the return. 15-30 quickly becomes 15-40 as the under-pressure Frenchman overcompensates with a double fault.

John Peers has a huge chance on the first break point but he knifes the volley into the net. A good second serve from Mahut gets him out of jail on the next point. The French pair close it out to raucous cries of 'Come on!'

Rebecca Conroy:  Come on @Jamie_murray and @johnwpeers in the #USOpen final! You can do it. #backthebrits

The Murray serve into the Mahut backhand is working a treat - he's cramping the Frenchman for room and making it impossible to keep his returns away from the predatory volleys of John Peers at the net. Another good hold for the Scot.

Herbert is not especially tall at 6'2", but he seems much bigger than he is, such is his prowess at using every inch of his height. He gets real pop on his serve and is adept at reeling in those big overheads from almost behind him with his long arms. Another easy hold, despite a blooper of a missed smash from Mahut.

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Quote Message: Herbert has proved once again in this tournament that he is a talent, something the French Davis Cup team overlooked against Britain in July. The Frenchman was left out of the doubles in place of Tsonga, who teamed up with Mahut in defeat by the Murray brothers. Herbert spent the weekend watching, and briefly talking to BBC Sport. Lovely chap, excellent English.

Herbert has proved once again in this tournament that he is a talent, something the French Davis Cup team overlooked against Britain in July. The Frenchman was left out of the doubles in place of Tsonga, who teamed up with Mahut in defeat by the Murray brothers. Herbert spent the weekend watching, and briefly talking to BBC Sport. Lovely chap, excellent English.

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Whoa there - Herbert uses his long levers to good effect to absolutely muller one down the tramlines, and another flash of his spidery limbs sees a return fizz past Jamie Murray for 30-30. Murray nets with a volley, and suddenly it's break point.

A good serve from John Peers fends that one off, and that's as close as Mahut/Herbert get.

Quote Message: If you're not nervous ahead of a final of a Grand Slam then you're not human. Both teams started with jitters and Peers and Murray worked through it as a team. But both teams are through the nerves now. I like Murray and Peers because of the lefty-righty combo.

If you're not nervous ahead of a final of a Grand Slam then you're not human. Both teams started with jitters and Peers and Murray worked through it as a team. But both teams are through the nerves now. I like Murray and Peers because of the lefty-righty combo.

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Mahut is sporting some absolutely epic sideburns today - proper mutton-chops, like a courtier in a Louis XIV period drama. His second service game is a much more straightforward affair than his first - a couple of returns fly long, and with that any chance for Murray/Peers to make an impression on the serve is gone.

Quote Message: The stadium is starting to fill up. One lady has brought in her lunch and is about to tuck into spaghetti bolognese. That could get messy.

The stadium is starting to fill up. One lady has brought in her lunch and is about to tuck into spaghetti bolognese. That could get messy.

Jamie Murray ensures normal service is resumed with a fuss-free service game. John Peers snakes out an arm at the net to swat away a volley. Mahut frames one, and another deft volley from Peers closes the hold.

Quote Message: You see doubles players making hand signals but they don't have that many - although it seems like they do have a lot when you're watching. They are giving signals about where to serve and whether the net player is going to poach or keep their position.

You see doubles players making hand signals but they don't have that many - although it seems like they do have a lot when you're watching. They are giving signals about where to serve and whether the net player is going to poach or keep their position.

Herbert has got a howitzer serve and this is a much more straightforward service game after the drama of those first two games - some big unreturnables secure a love hold for the French pair.

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Quote Message: Murray and Peers are doing a great job together - they are even colour coordinated with their kit. I think that helps in these big matches.

Murray and Peers are doing a great job together - they are even colour coordinated with their kit. I think that helps in these big matches.

Whether Jeff the Joker is being serious or not, we cannot confirm....

John Peers could have his work cut out on serve. The Aussie has perhaps the weakest delivery of these four players and the French duo immediately tee off - two big returns open up 0-30, before Peers nets a volley to bring up three break points.

Can Mahut/Herbert take their chances where Murray/Peers could not? No! They see the first two break points saved, before Herbert smashes a juicy return on the third, which clears a ducking Jamie Murray and lands an inch over the baseline.

It's deja vu all over again as some crisp volleying from Murray closes out the hold from 0-40 down.

Mr H:  Best of luck Jamie Murray! Do Scotland and GB proud today and take that title!   

Murray and Peers make an electric start - two beautiful forehand returns from Jamie Murray immediately open up three break points on the Mahut serve.

The French duo save the first two, before a strong volley right onto the baseline from Mahut sees them back to the relative safety of deuce.

A big serve from Mahut and a lovely angled volley from Herbert get the French boys out of trouble.

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Here we go...Mahut to serve first...

We're expecting the Arthur Ashe Stadium to have filled up a little since Murray and Peers were out there practising a couple of hours ago...

Tell me you haven't forgotten Nicolas Mahut? It was of course Mahut who was the gallant loser in arguably the greatest tennis match, defeated 6-4 3-6 6-7 7-6 70-68 by John Isner in an 11-hour Wimbledon epic in 2010.

33-year-old Mahut has already played in two Grand Slam doubles finals - losing both.

His partner Pierre-Hugues Herbert is more of an unknown quantity, at just 24 years old. According to his ATP profile, he speaks four languages and plays the guitar. Impressive...

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"Murray and Peers have been regulars on the Grandstand court and the cramped confines of Interview Room Three over the last week, but today they make the step up. 

"The experience of having recently played a Wimbledon final should stand them in good stead, although scheduling in New York makes it unlikely they will enjoy a similar atmosphere to Centre Court. 

"A midday Saturday start should ensure the cavernous Arthur Ashe Stadium is not exactly bursting at the seams of its 23,000-set capacity. A shame, but the prize remains a huge one."

It might have been a disappointing US Open for brother Andy, but Jamie Murray has kept the Union Jack flying - and extended mum Judy's vacation in the Big Apple.

He has romped through the men's doubles with Aussie partner John Peers, overcaming home favourites Sam Querrey and Stevie Johnson in a pulsating semi-final to set up a meeting with French pairing Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert.

It's a day for first-time Slam winners: neither of those four men have ever won a Major men's doubles title.

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Good afternoon, and welcome to live text commentary of day 13 of the US Open.

As mentioned, we have the women's singles final coming up, but first, there's the small matter of British interest in the men's doubles final...

On a day that has already seen one unlikely older winner crowned, the US Open is guaranteed to produce another heartwarming tale for the long-in-the-tooth underdog.

33-year-old Italian Flavia Pennetta, ranked 26th in the world, meets her 32-year-old compatriot Roberta Vinci, ranked 43rd in the women's singles final.

In a few hours' time, one of them will become the first woman ever to win her first Grand Slam at over the age of 30, and complete one of the most remarkable Major victories of all.