Weekend Tennis Roundup

Rafael Nadal won his fifth Rogers Cup title, embarrassing Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-0 in just 70 minutes. The Spaniard 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. Shockingly, it was the first time the 33-year-old had successfully defended a title that wasn't on clay.

Worth noting that it sucked for Gael Monfils that he got all the way to the semis but had to default, unable to play two matches in one day caused by a rain-induced scheduling backup. And Karen Khachanov was on fire -- beating Zverev, Auger-Aliassme and Wawrinka -- before falling to countryman Medvedev. (Interesting that both Russians are 6-foot-6, 22 years old, four-time ATP singles titlists and, worst of all, married -- although you may have heard Karen's getting divorced from Miley Cyrus.)

And speaking of embarrassment, bratty Bianca Andreescu met her match Sunday against Serena Williams, who showed the 19-year-old Canadian that she had nothing on her in the Drama Department. 

Williams, who made Naomi Osaka look like an asshole in the semis then played effortlessly for four games in the final before panicking after getting down one measly break, suddenly parked it and started bawling. (If she actually "retired" I never saw/heard it. Everyone just started to bow down to her and then it was over.) Naturally, the coverage of Andreescu becoming the first Canadian to capture the title in 50 years is almost a footnote. Angie Kerber might need to amend her earlier drama-queen statement.

The studly Spanish-Argentinian duo of Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos triumphed on and off the court in their team debut, looking like this and defeating defeating dreamy Dutchmen Robin Haase and Wesley Koolhof 7-5, 7-5 on Sunday.

Steve Johnson, looking to regain confidence and boost his ranking, defeated Germany's Dominik Koepfer, 6-4, 7-6, to win the Challenger event in Aptos, Calif. 

Johnson, who lost to No. 7 ranked Kei Nishikori in the third round of Wimbledon earlier this year, entered the tournament ranked No. 94 in the ATP World rankings. No. 91 Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia was the only player in Aptos ranked higher, but he was upset in the quarterfinals by unseeded American Ernesto Escobedo, who is working with Jan-Michael Gambill.

Around the net:

All I have to say about this is that I'm really glad Robert Farah doesn't play doubles with Mate Pavic or else my stalking would be a full-time job.

I'm not sure if Filip Krajinovic's game is getting any better ...

but the quality of his life sure appears to be ...

I wrote "woof" on this story posted by hunky CHRIS WORMAN and he hit the "heart" button in reply!

BREAKING: Noah Rubin is still straight.

The British boys have lots to celebrate: Leader of the Pack Andy Murray is returning to singles play this week in Cincy, although it remains to be seen if he's biting off more than his new hip can chew. (First up: Richard Gasquet.) 

Men's tennis's biggest (not quite out) gay star is this handsome fella's "person."

A lot of people can't stand Novak. But no one can argue with his taste in hitting partners. 

What a relief that the irresistible Italian has recovered from his foot ailment!

Sounds like foxy Quentin Halys followed in the frosted footsteps of his French peers, even if his beard didn't approve ...

Jonny O'Mara is in Vancouver to play doubles at the Challenger this week. 

He's teaming with Robert Lindstedt, a World Team Tennis mate. 

Liam Broady is also up north, playing in the singles qualies. 

Diego Schwartzman went from titlist in Baja Mexico to second-round loser in Cincinatti. (In fairness, he lost to Robert Bautista Agut, who reached the semifinals and probably wouldn't have defaulted against Nadal if he'd beaten Monfils.) 

Damir looked at peace after his loss in NoCal.

And last but not least: Where have you gone, Borna Coris?

(With wire services)