The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Serena Williams bows out in Toronto
Bianca Andreescu became the first Canadian to win the Rogers Cup in 50 years when Serena Williams retired because of an injury Aug. 11.
Andreescu was up 3-1 in the first set when Williams called for a medical timeout.
Less than a minute later, the chair umpire announced that the 37-year-old Williams was retiring from the match, handing Andreescu her second WTA Premier title of the season.
The tournament’s final lasted only 16 minutes.
After the chair umpire announced the retirement, Williams started to cry on her bench. Andreescu went over to comfort her, hugging her and telling Williams how much she admires the 23-time Grand Slam winner.
“I’m not a crier, but, thank you guys,” said Williams as she choked back tears after accepting the secondplace check. “I’m sorry I couldn’t do it today. I tried but I just couldn’t do it.”
Williams’ retirement was the last of several high-profile injuries at the Rogers Cup. Fourthseeded Simona Halep withdrew from her quarterfinal matchup with Marie Bouzkova.
On the men’s side, Rafael Nadal won his fifth Rogers Cup title, beating Daniil Medvedev, 6-3, 6-0, in just 70 minutes.
The 33-year-old Nadal won the event for the third time in Montreal. The first came in 2005 at age 19 over Andre Agassi, and the second in 2013. Nadal won in Toronto in 2008 and 2018.
“I think I played a very solid match, my best match of the week,” Nadal said.
The second-ranked Spanish star won his 83rd singles title.
MLB
O’S STUN ASTROS >> Rio Ruiz hit a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning to carry the Baltimore Orioles over Houston, 8-7, ending the Astros’ eightgame winning streak in stunning fashion.
Houston scored three runs in the top of the ninth to go up 7-5 before the Orioles answered in the bottom half against closer Roberto Osuna (33). After Chris Davis hit a sacrifice fly, Chance Sisco was at first base when Ruiz homered.