Home comfort

Toronto, August 11 

Serena Williams’ first U.S. Open tune-up ended in stunning fashion as the American retired with injury while trailing Canadian teenager Bianca Andreescu 3-1 in the Rogers Cup final today.

Williams, who hopes to chase a record-equalling 24th career Grand Slam title at the US Open, seemed fine on court but suddenly sat crying in her chair before deciding to retire 19 minutes into the match with a back injury.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t do it today. I tried but I just couldn’t do it,” a tearful Williams, who struggled to get the words out, told the crowd.

“It’s been a tough year but we’ll keep going.” Andreescu, who shot to prominence with her Indian Wells triumph in March and was competing this week for the first time since withdrawing from the French Open with a shoulder injury, is the first Canadian to win the event in 50 years.  

Monfils out, Nadal in final

Rafael Nadal is homing in on a second straight ATP title in Canada after reaching the Montreal Masters final without hitting a shot. The top-seeded world No. 2 was handed an extra day of rest when Gael Monfils withdrew from their semifinal — scheduled to start just hours after Monfils defeated Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4 3-6 7-6(2) in a rain-delayed quarterfinal. Nadal will aim for his fifth Canadian trophy in the final against Daniil Medvedev, who beat compatriot Karen Khachanov 6-1 7-6 (8/6). — AFP

Bopanna-Shapovalov bow out in semis

Montreal: India’s Rohan Bopanna and his partner Denis Shapovalov crashed out of the ATP Montreal Masters after going down 6-7 (3-7) 6-7 in straight sets to the Dutch combination of Robin Haase and Wesley Koolhof in the semifinals of the men’s doubles event . pti