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Tennis

Leylah Fernandez of Canada plays a backhand return to Coco Gauff of the United States during a women's singles match of the China Open tennis tournament, at the National Tennis Center, in Beijing, China, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

Fernandez beats Valentova in three sets to win singles crown at Japan Open

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Updated: 9:40 AM CDT

OSAKA - Canadian Leylah Fernandez got off to a quick start and then had to battle to defeat Tereza Valentova of Czechia 6-0, 5-7, 6-3 in the championship final of the Japan Women's Open on Saturday night.

The 23-year-old Fernandez, of Laval, Que., needed only 28 minutes to win the first set, but then needed almost two more hours to close it out as the 18-year-old Valentova found her game at the Utsubo Tennis Center.

The victory was Fernandez’s second title of 2025 and the fifth of her career, after winning the Washington Open earlier this year.

After the match, the Canadian thanked her coach and father, Jorge Fernandez, as well as her team and family.

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Rybakina storms back from set down to beat Alexandrova in Ningbo Open

The Associated Press 1 minute read Updated: 9:03 AM CDT

NINGBO, China (AP) — Elena Rybakina stormed back from a set down to beat Ekaterina Alexandrova 3-6, 6-0, 6-2 in the Ningbo Open final on Sunday to win her 10th WTA title.

The third-seeded Rybakina started slowly, falling behind to her Russian opponent 4-1 in the opener. She bounced back in the second and went on to dominate her fourth-seeded opponent, winning nine straight games and hitting 11 aces.

“Thank you so much to my team for always pushing me to be better,” shed said. “Especially at the end of the season, it’s not easy, but without you I would not be here."

It was Rybakina's second title of the year.

Leylah Fernandez wins Japan Open for her fifth career title

The Associated Press 1 minute read 12:56 AM CDT

OSAKA, Japan (AP) — Leylah Fernandez beat 18-year-old qualifier Tereza Valentova 6-0, 5-7, 6-3 in the final of the WTA's Japan Open on Sunday for her fifth career title.

Playing in her eighth career final, the one-time U.S. Open runner-up raced through the first set in 29 minutes, before Valentova settled her nerves in the second set and found a way to level the match when she broke Fernandez in the 12 game.

In the deciding set, the 27th-ranked Fernandez made a crucial break in the fourth game and then saw off a late challenge by the Czech player to claim her second title of the season after taking the WTA 500 D.C. Open in July.

___

Montembeault shoulders blame for Canadiens 4-3 loss to Rangers

Jared Book, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Montembeault shoulders blame for Canadiens 4-3 loss to Rangers

Jared Book, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Yesterday at 10:24 PM CDT

MONTREAL - After allowing three goals on six shots in the first 5:51 of the third period of the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 loss to the New York Rangers on Saturday, goaltender Samuel Montembeault shouldered the blame.

The Canadiens held a 2-1 lead into the third period, but the three straight goals turned that into a 4-2 deficit at the time.

“I will take a lot of the blame,” said Montembeault. “I need to be better. It’s two games in a row I have a good two periods and then in the third it doesn’t go as well. The guys work hard and it’s up to me to make the saves.”

Montembeault allowed four goals on 22 shots Saturday, and it was the second straight game that he had that statline. Five of the eight goals have come in the third period.

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Yesterday at 10:24 PM CDT

New York Rangers' J.T. Miller, second right, celebrates with teammates after scoriing against Montreal Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault (35) during third period NHL hockey action in Montreal, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
New York Rangers' J.T. Miller, second right, celebrates with teammates after scoriing against Montreal Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault (35) during third period NHL hockey action in Montreal, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Senators unhappy with bad habits, subpar record

Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Senators unhappy with bad habits, subpar record

Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Yesterday at 6:19 PM CDT

OTTAWA - It may be early in the season, but the Ottawa Senators can’t afford to fall back into bad habits.

With a 2-4-0 record the Senators are less than thrilled with the first 10 days of their season.

Inconsistency, cheating for offence and an inability to play a full 60-minute effort is leading to early frustration for head coach Travis Green.

“A lot of things we took pride in last year we were good, we weren’t good (Saturday),” said Green.

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Yesterday at 6:19 PM CDT

New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27) stick handles the puck in front of Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark (35) during third period NHL action in Ottawa, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27) stick handles the puck in front of Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark (35) during third period NHL action in Ottawa, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Canada’s Shapovalov falls to Norway’s Ruud in semifinals of Stockholm Open

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Canada’s Shapovalov falls to Norway’s Ruud in semifinals of Stockholm Open

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Yesterday at 12:45 PM CDT

STOCKHOLM - Canada's Denis Shapovalov fell just short of playing for an ATP title.

The Richmond Hill, Ont., native lost 6-3, 6-4 to Norway's Casper Ruud in the semifinals of the Stockholm Open tennis tournament on Saturday.

The third-seeded Shapovalov had six aces and four double faults, while breaking on one of five chances.

Ruud, the second seed in the tournament, had two aces to double fault and converted three of his six break-point chances.

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Yesterday at 12:45 PM CDT

Canada's Denis Shapovalov plays a return against Norway's Casper Ruud during a men's singles semifinal tennis match at the BNP Paribas Nordic Open tennis tournament in Stockholm, Sweden, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Magnus Lejhall/TT via AP)
Canada's Denis Shapovalov plays a return against Norway's Casper Ruud during a men's singles semifinal tennis match at the BNP Paribas Nordic Open tennis tournament in Stockholm, Sweden, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Magnus Lejhall/TT via AP)

Canada’s Auger-Aliassime advances to European final

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Canada’s Auger-Aliassime advances to European final

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Yesterday at 12:37 PM CDT

BRUSSELS - Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime is off to the European Open final.

The Montreal native defeated Belgium's Raphael Collignon 7-6 (2), 6-4 in the semifinals of the tennis tournament.

Auger-Aliassime fired eight aces and had just one double fault while winning 78 per cent of his first-serve points.

He also converted on one of his three break-point chances in the one-hour, 45-minute match.

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Yesterday at 12:37 PM CDT

Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada returns a forehand shot from Arthur Rinderknech of France during their men's singles quarterfinal match of the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center, in Shanghai, China, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada returns a forehand shot from Arthur Rinderknech of France during their men's singles quarterfinal match of the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center, in Shanghai, China, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Canadian Leylah Fernandez advances to the WTA’s Japan Open final with win over Cîrstea

The Associated Press 1 minute read Preview

Canadian Leylah Fernandez advances to the WTA’s Japan Open final with win over Cîrstea

The Associated Press 1 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 3:27 AM CDT

OSAKA, Japan (AP) — The last remaining seeded player at the WTA's Japan Open has reached Sunday's final — Leylah Fernandez defeated 35-year-old Sorana Cîrstea 6-1, 2-6, 6-4.

At 4-4 in the deciding set Saturday, Fernandez broke Cîrstea's serve, then held her own serve in the next game to advance.

The fourth-seeded Canadian player will face 18-year-old qualifier Tereza Valentova in the final. Valentova beat Jaqueline Cristian 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-3 in the other semifinal.

Cristian advanced to the last four when top-seeded Naomi Osaka pulled out with a left leg injury on Friday, giving the Romanian player a walkover in her quarterfinal.

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Updated: Yesterday at 3:27 AM CDT

Leylah Fernandez of Canada reacts after scoring a point against Coco Gauff of the United States during a women's singles match of the China Open tennis tournament, at the National Tennis Center, in Beijing, China, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)
Leylah Fernandez of Canada reacts after scoring a point against Coco Gauff of the United States during a women's singles match of the China Open tennis tournament, at the National Tennis Center, in Beijing, China, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

Auger-Aliassime into European Open semifinals, Shapovalov advances to Stockholm semis

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Auger-Aliassime into European Open semifinals, Shapovalov advances to Stockholm semis

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 3:30 AM CDT

Canadian tennis players Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov advanced to the semifinals of their respective ATP 250 tournaments with wins on Friday.

Montreal's Auger-Aliassime advanced to the final four of the European Open with a 6-2, 7-6 (6) win over American qualifier Eliot Spizzirri.

Shapovalov, from Richmond Hill, Ont., won his quarterfinal match at the Stockholm Open against Swedish wild card Elias Ymer 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-1.

In Brussels, Auger-Aliassime won when he clinched the second-set tiebreaker with his 11th ace of the match.

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Updated: Yesterday at 3:30 AM CDT

Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada returns a forehand shot from Arthur Rinderknech of France during their men's singles quarterfinal match of the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center, in Shanghai, China, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada returns a forehand shot from Arthur Rinderknech of France during their men's singles quarterfinal match of the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center, in Shanghai, China, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Canada’s Fernandez advances to Japan Open semifinals with win over Sramkova

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Canada’s Fernandez advances to Japan Open semifinals with win over Sramkova

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025

OSAKA - Canada's Leylah Fernandez is off to the semifinals of the Japan Open tennis tournament.

Fernandez defeated Slovakia's Rebecca Sramkova 7-6 (2), 6-3 in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

The Laval, Que., native had one ace to three double faults but broke on four her nine chances in the match.

Sramkova also had one ace, but committed seven double faults.

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Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025

Leylah Fernandez of Canada plays a backhand return to Coco Gauff of the United States during a women's singles match of the China Open tennis tournament, at the National Tennis Center, in Beijing, China, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)
Leylah Fernandez of Canada plays a backhand return to Coco Gauff of the United States during a women's singles match of the China Open tennis tournament, at the National Tennis Center, in Beijing, China, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

Naomi Osaka is out of the Japan Open quarterfinals with a left leg injury

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Naomi Osaka is out of the Japan Open quarterfinals with a left leg injury

The Associated Press 2 minute read Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025

OSAKA, Japan (AP) — Naomi Osaka pulled out of her quarterfinal match at the Japan Open on Friday because of a left leg injury.

Her withdrawal ahead of the match resulted in Jaqueline Cristian advancing to the semifinals on a walkover, the WTA Tour said.

Tournament organizers said top-seeded Osaka hadn't recovered from the injury sustained late in her second-round match. It will be Cristian's third semifinal appearance of the year and her first on a surface other than clay.

Before the injury, Osaka had wins over Wakana Sonobe and 2024 champion Suzan Lamens.

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Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025

Naomi Osaka, of Japan returns a shot from Aliaksandra Sasnovich, of Russia during the women's singles match for the China Open tennis tournament, at the National Tennis Center, in Beijing, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Naomi Osaka, of Japan returns a shot from Aliaksandra Sasnovich, of Russia during the women's singles match for the China Open tennis tournament, at the National Tennis Center, in Beijing, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

ITF to change name to World Tennis in bid for ‘clearer identity’

The Associated Press 1 minute read Preview

ITF to change name to World Tennis in bid for ‘clearer identity’

The Associated Press 1 minute read Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025

LONDON (AP) — The International Tennis Federation will change its name to “World Tennis” as of 2026.

The switch was ratified Thursday by member national tennis associations voting at the governing body's annual general meeting.

“The change will provide a clearer identity that is more relevant to players, fans, partners and tennis stakeholders around the world, and brings the brand in line with a majority of sport’s most prominent global governing bodies,” the ITF said in a statement.

ITF president David Haggerty added: “World Tennis better reflects who we are today; the global governing body and guardian of tennis, working hard with our members to deliver tennis for life.”

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Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Coco Gauff of the United States serves during the women's singles final against compatriot Jessica Pegula at the 2025 Wuhan Open tennis tournament in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. (Bai Xuefei/Xinhua via AP)
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Coco Gauff of the United States serves during the women's singles final against compatriot Jessica Pegula at the 2025 Wuhan Open tennis tournament in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. (Bai Xuefei/Xinhua via AP)

Canada’s Auger-Aliassime fights to win over Dzumhur at European Open

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Canada’s Auger-Aliassime fights to win over Dzumhur at European Open

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025

BRUSSELS - Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime moved on to the quarterfinals of the European Open tennis tournament with a 7-6 (3), 4-6, 7-6 (5) win over Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday.

Auger-Aliassime, seeded second in Brussels, out-aced Dzumhur 22-0 and had 14 break-point chances in the match.

But Dzumhur defended 13 break chances against while converting both of the ones he had in a match with little room for error.

Auger-Aliassime was up double-break point in what could have been a decisive 10th game in the third set, but Dzumhur ended up fending off three match points to earn a hold and tie the set 5-5.

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Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025

Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada returns a backhand shot from Arthur Rinderknech of France during their men's singles quarterfinal match of the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center, in Shanghai, China, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada returns a backhand shot from Arthur Rinderknech of France during their men's singles quarterfinal match of the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center, in Shanghai, China, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Fernandez tops Galfi in straight sets to advance at Japan Open

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Fernandez tops Galfi in straight sets to advance at Japan Open

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025

OSAKA - Canada's Leylah Fernandez earned a 6-1, 6-4 win over Hungary's Dalma Galfi on Wednesday in second-round action at the Japan Open tennis tournament.

Fernandez of Laval, Que., hit one ace to three double faults but broke on three of her eight opportunities in the match.

She also won 78 per cent of her first-serve points compared to 55 per cent from her opponent.

Galfi had three aces and two double faults but failed to convert her lone break-point chance.

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Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025

Leylah Fernandez of Canada reacts after scoring a point against Coco Gauff of the United States during a women's singles match of the China Open tennis tournament, at the National Tennis Center, in Beijing, China, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)
Leylah Fernandez of Canada reacts after scoring a point against Coco Gauff of the United States during a women's singles match of the China Open tennis tournament, at the National Tennis Center, in Beijing, China, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

Shapovalov into quarterfinals at Stockholm Open with win over Borg

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Shapovalov into quarterfinals at Stockholm Open with win over Borg

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025

Canada's Denis Shapovalov advanced to the quarterfinals of the Stockholm Open tennis tournament with a 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 win over hometown favourite Leo Borg on Wednesday,

Shapovalov, the third seed in Stockholm, had six aces and won 83 per cent of first serve points against Borg, the 22-year-old son of Swedish tennis great Bjorn Borg.

Borg, who earned a wild-card entry into the main draw of the ATP 250 tournament in Sweden's capital, struggled to pick up wins on serve. He faced 18 break points in the match, defending 11 of them.

The Swede appeared to take control of the game in the second set, when he had two of his three breaks in a four-game winning streak to close off the set. 

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Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025

Gabriel Diallo of Canada plays a forehand return to Zizou Bergs, of Belgium, during the men's singles match of the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center, in Shanghai, China, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Gabriel Diallo of Canada plays a forehand return to Zizou Bergs, of Belgium, during the men's singles match of the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center, in Shanghai, China, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Sinner and Fritz say the $6 million top prize at the Six Kings Slam exhibition offers motivation

Howard Fendrich, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Sinner and Fritz say the $6 million top prize at the Six Kings Slam exhibition offers motivation

Howard Fendrich, The Associated Press 3 minute read Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025

There are some tennis fans who wonder why top players who complain about how crowded the sport’s calendar is would add an in-season exhibition like the Six Kings Slam, which starts Wednesday in Saudi Arabia, to their schedule.

Taylor Fritz can think of millions of reasons. Well, 6 million, to be precise.

“I’d love for them to show me a tournament where you can go play three matches — well, for the top two seeds, two matches — and potentially make $6 million,” Fritz said, his arms crossed during a video interview from Riyadh on Tuesday. “I’d love to hear that from them.”

Well, then.

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Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025

United States' Taylor Fritz, right, right, congratulated Spain's Carlos Alcaraz after the men's final match at the Tokyo ATP 500 tennis tournament at Ariake Coliseum, in Tokyo, Japan, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)
United States' Taylor Fritz, right, right, congratulated Spain's Carlos Alcaraz after the men's final match at the Tokyo ATP 500 tennis tournament at Ariake Coliseum, in Tokyo, Japan, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)

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