Nastase apologizes for comments

Ilie Nastase responded to the backlash from his comments about Serena Williams and his Fed Cup outburst, saying his remarks about the pregnant tennis great were “spontaneous” and his tirade inexcusable.

Nastase, 70, posted a statement on Facebook a week after he speculated about the skin color of the baby Williams is expecting. Williams is black and her fiance, Alexis Ohanian, is white.

■ Barcelona Open: Rafael Nadal defeated Hyeon Chung 7-6 (1), 6-2, and Andy Murray held off Albert Ramos-Vinolas 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (4) to advance to the semifinals in Spain.

■ Porsche Grand Prix: In her third match following a 15-month doping ban, five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova won again to move into the semifinals after beating Anett Kontaveit 6-3, 6-4 in Stuttgart, Germany. Also, second-seeded Karolina Pliskova was upset 7-6 (3), 5-7, 6-3 by Laura Siegemund.