Canada's Mo Ahmed seeks redemption against fellow Olympians

As Mo Ahmed lines up for the men's 5,000-metre race at Thursday's Diamond League track and field meet in Zürich, he'll probably be reminded of the events that led to his missed podium finish at the recent Rio Olympics. It'll certainly be in the thoughts of any family, friends and Canadians watching (CBCSports.ca, CBC Sports app, 2 p.m. ET).

In a fierce battle with American Paul Kipkemoi Chelimo, the 25-year-old Ahmed appeared to be in line for a bronze medal in the final 400 metres at the Olympic Stadium but ran out of steam and crossed the line fifth in 13 minutes 5.94 seconds, only to be awarded fourth after Muktar Edris of Ethiopia was disqualified.

Ahmed admittedly "fell apart" in the last 120 metres and said he could "taste" a podium finish.

"Just so disappointed," he added. "I put everything into this race. The podium was right there."

A native of St. Catharines, Ont., Ahmed will have a chance to redeem himself Thursday against Chelimo, who finished second in Rio in 13:03.90. Edris and fellow Ethiopian Hagos Gebrhiwet, who won Olympic bronze in 13:04.35, are scheduled to compete along with other Rio top-10 finishers Bernard Lagat and Albert Rop of Bahrain.

The 13-minute barrier likely would be among Ahmed's other goals in the 2:13 p.m. ET race after he clocked 13:01.74 at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon in May to shatter his Canadian record of 13:10.00, set in Brussels last year that broke a 17-year-old mark.

It's a great honour to wear the 🍁 & I thank all for the energy & support.Thank you all so so much. Next up Zurich 💎 http://pic.twitter.com/5GAOzxh5JA

— @Moh_Speed

Here's a breakdown of the Canadian content:

Shawn Barber (pole vault, 12:45 p.m. ET)

Forget about any rivalry with Renaud Lavillenie of France or Sam Kendricks of the United States. Toronto pole vaulter Shawn Barber will be focused on trying to clear 5.65 metres, which Barber failed to do at last week's Diamond League competitions in Paris (5.61) and Lausanne, Switzerland (5.62) as well as at the Rio Olympics (5.50).

Lavillenie, who is 14-2 versus Barber overall, won in Paris with a vault of 5.93, matching the Canadian's personal best. Kendricks cleared 5.92 in Lausanne to win that event and slated to compete in Zürich along with Brazil's Thiago Braz, who won in Rio with an Olympic record 6.03.

Melissa Bishop (women's 800, 3:02 p.m. ET)

It's been two consecutive fourth place places for Melissa Bishop of Eganville, Ont. Five days after missing an Olympic bronze medal by 13-100ths of a second, Bishop stopped the clock in 1:58.71 for fourth place at Lausanne Diamond League, nearly two seconds slower than her Canadian record time of 1:57.02 in Rio.

Gutsy! 💪🏼 MT @CBCOlympics: Melissa Bishop sets Cdn record in 800m (1:57.02), finishes 4th https://t.co/TeJIe5SO8Z https://t.co/s4NqAeC2Gn

— @andrewTO

In Zürich, the 28-year-old Bishop will have another chance at a top-three finish against South Africa's Caster Semenya, Burundi's Francine Niyonsaba and Kenya's Margaret Wambui, the gold, silver and bronze medallists in Rio. Semenya and Niyonsaba are separated by two points atop the Diamond League points standings, so whichever woman crosses the line first will win the Diamond Trophy.

Phylicia George (women's 100 hurdles, 3:12 p.m. ET)

George enters the Zürich meet with confidence, fresh off her victory at the Kamila Skolimowska Memorial in Poland on Sunday. The Markham, Ont., hurdler's time of 12.88 seconds matches her winning time at the Canadian Olympic trials in July.

At the Rio Games, the 28-year-old George stumbled out of the gate in the 100 hurdles final and finished eighth in 12.89 after clocking 12.77 in her semifinal heat. The nine-women field in Zürich includes Great Britain's Cindy Ofili and Germany's Cindy Roleder, who finished fourth and fifth, respectively in Rio.

Diamond League on CBC Sports

CBC Sports is provided live streaming coverage of all 14 Diamond League meets this season at CBCSports.ca and via the CBC Sports app for iOS and Android devices. TV coverage will be featured as part of the network's Road To The Olympic Games weekend broadcasts throughout the season.

The following is a list of upcoming Diamond League meets on CBCSports.ca and the CBC Sports app:

• Zurich (Thursday, 2 p.m. ET)
• Brussels (Sept. 9, 2 p.m. ET) 

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Canada's Mo Ahmed seeks redemption against fellow Olympians

Aaron Sanchez returns to rotation for series finale against Orioles

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Aaron Sanchez returns to rotation for series finale against Orioles

Canadian men face crucial week in World Cup qualifiers

Four years ago Canada's World Cup dreams evaporated in a devastating 8-1 loss under the Honduran sun. 

The coming six days presents the Canadian men's national soccer team a chance at revenge. 

On the heels of the Canadian women's captivating bronze-medal performance at the Rio Olympics, the men have a chance to continue Canada's success on the pitch by taking another step toward qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Canada has two matches left in Round 4 of qualification, starting at Estadio Olimpico in Honduras on Friday. Four days later, Canada plays its final Group A match against El Salvador at B.C. Place in Vancouver on .

Race to 'the Hex' 

Situated in Group A along with Mexico, El Salvador and Honduras, Canada is in third place with four points after a win, a draw and two losses.

The top two teams in the group advance to the final round of qualification, commonly referred to as the Hexagonal Round, or just simply "the Hex." 

Honduras (1-1-2) has an identical record to Canada's, but has a better goal differential (+3), giving the small Central American nation the edge for second position in the group. 

"It's probably the biggest game since the last time we said this four years ago against Honduras so it's massive and it's just about getting the three points," defender/midfielder David Edgar said from Orlando, where the team is conducting its training camp.

"It's going to be quite similar to the last time we played them because that second spot's still up for grabs for both teams. It's going to be a vicious atmosphere but we're used to it in places like Panama and Honduras. It's just about getting our heads down and getting on with it."

A loss against Honduras wouldn't mathematically eliminate the Canadians, but it would put the squad in a very difficult position heading into the final day of Group 4 qualification.

Searching for only its second World Cup berth  — the only appearance was in 1986 in Mexico —  a win in Honduras would allow Canada to control its own destiny ahead of its final Round 4 qualification game against last-place El Salvador (0-2-2) on Sept. 6.

"It's a special game because it is an official game and it is very important for both teams towards the qualification," manager Benito Floro said in a conference call on Wednesday. "But this is a game of soccer. There are two teams, a ball, a referee and a tactical plan. The matter is to understand perfectly what to do."

No shortage of history

Undefeated Mexico (4-0-0) has already locked up top spot in Group A and El Salvador basically out of contention, Canada and Honduras are scrapping for the coveted second spot. 

Canada has no shortage of history in World Cup qualification against Honduras, most of it bad. In the past two World Cup qualifications, Canada has twice been eliminated from contention in Honduras — a 3-1 loss in 2008 and the 8-1 collapse in 2012 when a draw would have secured a spot in the Hex.

The drubbing prompted some major changes for the organization. Manager Stephen Hart resigned and Floro was brought in to replace him.

Floro has implemented new systems and with the help of new players such as Cyle Larin and Scott Arfield, Canada is back in the same position it found itself in four years ago. While the team boasts two players in midfielder Atiba Hutchinson and goalkeeper Milan Borjan who will compete in the upcoming UEFA Champions League, Canada will be without the services of injured captain Julian de Guzman.

---

Setback against Mexico 

Canada got off to a good start in Round 4 with a 1-0 win over Honduras on Nov. 13, 2015 in Vancouver and followed it up with a 0-0 draw on the road against El Salvador four days later. But two losses to Mexico — 3-0 on March 25 and 2-0 four days later — saw Canada drop in the group.

If Canada were to advance to the Hex, it would play a round-robin home-and-away series against Mexico and the other top two teams from Groups B and C (six teams total). The top three teams in the Hex automatically qualify for Russia 2018 while the fourth-place team would need to play a head-to-head playoff series with an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) nation for a final chance to qualify. 

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Canadian men face crucial week in World Cup qualifiers

Vasek Pospisil ousted from U.S. Open

Vasek Pospisil's U.S. Open came to an abrupt end on Wednesday afternoon. The Vernon, B.C. native fell in straight sets 7-6 6-4 6-4 to to South African Kevin Anderson.

The loss leaves Milos Raonic as the lone Canadian left in the tournament. He will face American Ryan Harrison later Wednesday afternoon.

Eugenie Bouchard lost 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 on Tuesday to 72nd-ranked Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic.

Djoker by default

Novak Djokovic will get a couple of extra days to rest up from his various ailments.

The defending champ moved on to the third round of the U.S. Open when his opponent withdrew before their match Wednesday. The top-ranked Djokovic had faced a potentially tricky matchup with Jiri Vesely, who defeated him last spring in their only meeting.

But a couple of hours before they would have taken the court, Vesely pulled out because of left forearm inflammation.

The left-handed Vesely retired from his last match before the U.S. Open because of problems with the forearm. Vesely and Andrey Kuznetsov were even at 5-5 in the first set of his third match in Winston-Salem when he stopped. Vesely wrote on Instagram afterward that the arm had been bothering him for a couple of days and he would see what the doctors in New York said about it.

In his first-round U.S. Open match Monday, he was pushed to five sets by 117th-ranked qualifier Saketh Myneni, spending nearly 4 hours on court.

Djokovic has been dealing with some arm troubles of his own. He said he hurt his left wrist a few days before the start of the Olympics, where he lost in the first round to Juan Martin del Potro. That injury also kept him from playing at Cincinnati.

Then in Monday's four-set victory over Jerzy Janowicz, Djokovic received treatment on his right arm during the opening set. He repeatedly winced and shook out the arm, his serves far slower than usual.

After dropping a set in his opening match at a major for the first time since 2010, Djokovic didn't want to talk about what was going on with his arm.

Vesely beat Djokovic 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 on clay in Monte Carlo in April. At the time, Djokovic hadn't lost a completed match since November.

Vesely, 23, is currently ranked 49th. He's coming off his best performance at a major, a run to the round of 16 at Wimbledon that included another win over a top-10 player in Dominic Thiem.

Djokovic will face 51st-ranked Guido Pella or No. 61 Mikhail Youzhny in the third round Friday.

Vinci!

2015 U.S. Open runner-up Roberta Vinci cruised into the third round for the sixth straight year.

The seventh-seeded Italian beat American Christina McHale 6-1, 6-3 on Wednesday. Vinci needed just 22 minutes to win the first set.

The 55th-ranked McHale was trying to reach the third round at the U.S. Open for the third time.

Vinci stunned Serena Williams in last year's semifinals to thwart her bid for the first Grand Slam since 1988, then lost to countrywoman Flavia Pennetta in the final.

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Vasek Pospisil ousted from U.S. Open

ICYMI: What went down in the NHL this month

With summer vacations coming to a close, it's a good time to catch up on what went on in the NHL this month. In case you missed them while taking some time off, here are the highlights:

Roy splits with Avs

Probably the biggest news was the resignation of the hot-blooded Patrick Roy as head coach and vice-president of hockey operations with the Colorado Avalanche. The unpredictable Roy obviously didn't share the same vision as his former teammate and fellow Hockey Hall of Famer boss, Joe Sakic.

It will be interesting to see if that's it for Roy as an NHL coach or if a team will take a chance on him down the road. In the meantime, Sakic has turned to former Prince Albert Raiders defenceman Jared Bednar. The 44-year-old from Yorkton, Sask., steered the Lake Erie Monsters to the AHL Calder Cup championship last spring.

Bednar becomes the latest Calder Cup-winning coach to be promoted to the NHL in the last five years, following Willie Desjardins (Vancouver Canucks), Jeff Blashill (Detroit Red Wings) and Jon Cooper (Tampa Bay Lightning).

Vesey picks Big Apple

Coveted U.S. college free-agent Jimmy Vesey from Harvard decided to sign with the New York Rangers. The 23-year-old Vesey chose the bright lights of Broadway over his hometown Boston Bruins, two recent Stanley Cup champions in the Pittsburgh Penguins and Chicago Blackhawks, as well as the Buffalo Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs, to join his childhood pal Kevin Hayes on the Rangers.

Tavares talks extension

New York Islanders captain John Tavares, who turns 26 on Sept. 20, has two years remaining on his contract before he is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent. But those hoping he'll hit the market and change addresses may be disappointed. Tavares wants to stay with the Islanders.

"I don't really have any reason to leave and I think we have a great makeup and a team that can do something special this year," Tavares told Newsday. "I've always expressed my love for playing for Long Island. It's where I started; it's all I know in the NHL. The opportunity they've given me, I would love to see it all the way through and win a Stanley Cup.

"It's rare to see players stay in one place their whole career. There's obviously still a lot of time, but Long Island is where I enjoy playing, I love being the captain there and they've treated me so well. The people, the fans have always been so good to me."

Gretzky (sort of) on the move

The Wayne Gretzky statue, raised in front of Rexall Place, was taken down for a makeover before it moves to its new home at Rogers Place in downtown Edmonton.

Hall switches digits

Meanwhile, former Oilers forward Taylor Hall announced his new sweater number with the New Jersey Devils will be No. 9. His traditional No. 4 was unavailable because the Devils retired that digit years ago to honour Hockey Hall of Famer Scott Stevens. Hall had no specific reason for his decision, other than to say "a lot of good players" have worn No. 9.

Alfie to be honoured

The Ottawa Senators will do some number-retiring business of their own on Dec. 29, when former captain Daniel Alfredsson will be honoured in a game against the team he spent his final NHL season with, the Detroit Red Wings.

Flames take care of business

In Calgary, the Flames were busy. They signed vital restricted free agents Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau and lassoed former Arizona Coyotes GM Don Maloney to bolster their pro-scouting department.

Weber, Suban get comfy

Finally, Shea Weber and Alexander Radulov began working out with their new Canadiens teammates in Montreal, while former Hab P.K. Subban continued to endear himself to not only his old fans in Montreal but his new lot in Nashville with various entertaining appearances

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ICYMI: What went down in the NHL this month

Russian Paralympics ban appeal rejected by Swiss supreme court

Switzerland's supreme court says it has dismissed Russia's appeal to compete at the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.

The Swiss Federal Tribunal says its judge dismissed the Russian Paralympic Committee's request for an interim ruling overturning a ban by the International Paralympic Committee because of state-sponsored doping.

The court says the Russian body had not demonstrated it had fulfilled all its obligations to anti-doping rules.

"The Russian Paralympic Committee would have needed to demonstrate it had fulfilled its obligations in upholding... anti-doping protocols, and that its interests in an immediate lifting of its suspension outweigh the International Paralympics Committee's interests in fighting doping and in the integrity of athletics. It did not succeed in this in any way," it said.

Russia's request that individual athletes be allowed to compete was also rejected because they were not specified parties to appeals against the ban.

Russia lost 267 entries for the Rio Paralympics, which will be held from Sept. 7-18.

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Russian Paralympics ban appeal rejected by Swiss supreme court

P.K. Subban returns to Montreal Children's Hospital following trade

Nearly a year after making his $10-million fundraising pledge, P.K. Subban is returning today to the Montreal Children's hospital.

The star defenceman, who was shipped to the Nashville Predators this summer for Shea Weber, is expected to offer details on his philanthropic work and future plans.

Subban is planning to meet with patients and families following the news conference.

Earlier this month, he promised to make "many more surprise visits" to the hospital in a video posted to social media.

Subban also said he would follow through on his pledge to raise $10 million for the hospital.

"Just because I have a new address, it doesn't mean that my commitment to you and to the hospital is going to change one bit," Subban wrote.

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P.K. Subban returns to Montreal Children's Hospital following trade

IOC strips 4 more medallists for doping at Beijing Olympics

The IOC has stripped four more athletes — including three Russians — of medals from the 2008 Beijing Olympics after their doping samples were retested and came back positive.

A total of six athletes were sanctioned Wednesday by the International Olympic Committee based on reanalysis of their samples with improved techniques. They were among the 98 positive cases recorded in the retesting of samples from Beijing and the 2012 London Olympics.

The IOC says Tatyana Firova was stripped of her silver medal in the women's 4x400-meter relay after testing positive for turinabol and other steroids. She also had her ninth-place finish in the individual 400 annulled.

The following weightlifting medallists were also stripped:

• Nadezda Evstyukhina, bronze in weightlifting (Russia)
• Marina Shainova, silver in weightlifting  (Russia)
• Tigran Martirosyan, bronze in weightlifting (Armenia)

The IOC also disqulified weightlifters Alexandru Dudoglo of Moldova and Intigam Zairov of Azerbaijan were disqualified.

Russia had already been stripped of the relay medal earlier this month when Anastasia Kapachinskaya tested positive.

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IOC strips 4 more medallists for doping at Beijing Olympics

Ryan Goins, Dalton Pompey among Blue Jays' potential Sept. 1 call-ups

The Blue Jays' recent play doesn't warrant a major shakeup, but you can bet changes are coming later this week.

General manager Ross Atkins could add a left-hander to an already strong bullpen to complement lone southpaw Brett Cecil or provide manager John Gibbons with a stronger left-handed option off the bench than Ezequiel Carrera for Toronto's playoff push in September.

What Atkins, Gibbons and others within the organization will do over the next couple of days is decide which players will be summoned from the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons when major league teams can expand their 25-man rosters to 40 on Thursday.

To be eligible for the post-season active roster, a player must be on a team's expanded roster or disabled list as of midnight ET Wednesday and not placed on the 60-day DL after Aug. 1.

Here are 10 players — four pitchers and six hitters — who could get a taste of big-league life in September while providing the Blue Jays' regulars rest down the stretch as they try to maintain their first-place lead in the American League East.

PITCHERS

Mike Bolsinger: The 28-year-old right-hander has struggled in Buffalo, posting a 7.52 earned-run average in five appearances since Toronto acquired him before the July 31 non-waiver deadline from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Scott Diamond: The Guelph, Ont., left-hander didn't make a good first impression upon his recall on June 13, allowing three runs (all earned) on two hits and walking two in a 7-0 loss to Philadelphia. Diamond, who hasn't pitched regularly in the majors since 2013 with Minnesota, has been solid with Buffalo this season, sporting a 4.02 ERA in 26 starts.

Chad Girodo: He has had more than a couple of stints in Toronto this season and provided decent results out of the bullpen — 4.35 ERA and only two walks over 10 1/3 innings. In 27 appearances with the Bisons this season, the 25-year-old owns a 3.69 ERA but has allowed 42 hits in 31 2/3 innings.

Ryan Tepera: The right-hander likely will join the Blue Jays for a seventh time this season, having most recently appeared Aug. 16 at Yankee Stadium when he struck out one in his only inning. He has a 2.89 ERA in nine games with the Jays in 2016 with seven strikeouts and five walks, but tops Buffalo with 18 saves to go with a 2.64 ERA.

HITTERS

Darrell Ceciliani: The former New York Met had a chance to impress when called up in June as the Jays had three outfielders on the disabled list. But Ceciliani struggled in that stint and another in August. In 11 games covering 26 at-bats, he hit .115 with a .179 on-base percentage and was returned to Buffalo on Aug. 19. He has hit .271 in 80 games with the Bisons with 10 homers and 11 stolen bases.

Chris Colabello: Atkins and company might not want the potential distraction of Colabello's presence after he served an 80-game suspension earlier this season for using performance-enhancing drugs. He also hasn't hit well in Buffalo since his return in July, batting .198 in his first 35 games with five home runs and 11 runs batted in. Colabello hit a career-high .321 with 15 homers last season with Toronto.

Matt Dominguez: A reserve first baseman and third baseman, he's had two stints with the Jays this season and went hitless in 11 at-bats in five games. But the 26-year-old has had a strong season in Triple-A, leading the Bisons in home runs (18) and RBIs (65).

Ryan Goins: He went 4-for-9 over three games with Toronto earlier this month to raise his average to .186 in 64 games (172 at-bats) after hitting .250 a year ago. An excellent defensive replacement at second base or shortstop, he has hit .271 in 27 games for Buffalo after spending time on the disabled list in July with forearm tightness.

Jesus Montero: One of four Bisons named to the Triple-A all-star game this season, the one-time New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners catching prospect is second to Dominguez in home runs (11) and RBIs (58). Montero is Buffalo's primary designated hitter and leads the club with a .321 batting average.

Dalton Pompey: Expect the Mississauga, Ont., native to get the call after impressing in last year's post-season, going 1-for-1 with four stolen bases in five games. After breaking camp in 2015 as Toronto's starting centre-fielder, he spent the bulk of the season in the minors and was demoted to Buffalo before spring training ended this past March. The promising Pompey has hit .270 in 91 games for the Bisons with four home runs, 18 steals and a .349 on-base percentage.

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Ryan Goins, Dalton Pompey among Blue Jays' potential Sept. 1 call-ups

Wieter's 8th-inning shot inches Orioles closer to Jays

Matt Wieters hit a go-ahead, two-run homer off Jason Grilli in the eighth inning to lead the Baltimore Orioles to a 5-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday night.

The Orioles pulled within three games of the first-place Blue Jays, who had a four-game winning streak snapped. After losing the opener 5-1, the Orioles will look to gain more ground in the series finale Wednesday.

Michael Saunders drilled a two-run shot off Orioles starter Ubaldo Jimenez that tied the game 3-3 in the seventh.

In the eighth, Jonathan Schoop walked and Wieters homered off Grilli (4-2), his 12th of the season.

Brad Brach (8-2) picked up the win with 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Zach Britton got his league-leading 39th save.

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher J.A. Happ throws to the Baltimore Orioles in the first inning of their Tuesday night game in Baltimore. (Patrick Semansky/AP Photo )

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Wieter's 8th-inning shot inches Orioles closer to Jays

Genie Bouchard's lawsuit takes centre stage after early exit from U.S. Open

Eugenie Bouchard wrung her hands at her post-match news conference. She rubbed her lower lip. She squeezed her left arm.

While her body language screamed discomfort Tuesday, when the main topic of discussion was Bouchard's ongoing lawsuit against the U.S. Open rather than her first-round loss, her words were measured. The once rising star answered every question.

A year ago at Flushing Meadows, Bouchard got a concussion from a fall at the facility and withdrew before playing in the fourth round, and then missed most of the rest of the season. She filed suit against the U.S. Tennis Association in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn in October, and that case is still pending, putting the 2014 Wimbledon runner-up in the odd position of competing this week at an event whose organizers she is suing.

Loses in 3 sets

"If I sit down and think about it, yeah, it's definitely a strange situation. But it's something that's so far in the back of my mind. I don't think about it on a daily basis, at all. I have people, lawyers, working on that side of it," Bouchard said. "So it's really not something I think about much at all. Obviously, being here, it's crossed my mind. But besides that, I mean, it has nothing to do with my day-to-day life."

Her 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 exit against 72nd-ranked Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic, a player who only once has been as far as the third round at a major tournament, was filled with 46 unforced errors by Bouchard, who also was treated for blisters on her feet. It represented the latest early loss for a 22-year-old from Westmount, Que., who reached three Grand Slam semifinals two years ago — and none since.

When she was at her peak, and a seeded player, an early major loss by Bouchard was rather newsworthy. Her up-and-down 2015 and 2016 have changed that, in part because she is ranked only 39th now, after a best of No. 5 in 2014.

She lost 14 of 17 matches leading into the 2015 U.S. Open but, after working a bit with Jimmy Connors, appeared to be back on the upswing in New York by reaching the fourth round. Then came her slip-and-tumble, and the concussion diagnosis, and she pulled out of what would have been a matchup against eventual runner-up Roberta Vinci.

It took her until January to return to the tour full-time.

"I didn't feel like, on the court, I was back to where I was," Bouchard said Tuesday, meaning that her level of play wasn't at its peak at the start of 2016. "But physically, since the beginning of the year, I've been feeling good."

USTA spokesman Chris Widmaier said the organization would not comment on the "substance" of litigation.

"However, it is truly unfortunate that a year after her accident, Genie's focus is on matters other than playing to her best ability," Widmaier said, noting that Bouchard's lawyers asked for an extension of the case.

He said the USTA "has remained ready, willing and able to bring the litigation to a conclusion as expeditiously as is possible, whether through settlement discussions or a fully litigated process."

Lawsuit had 'no impact' on treatment: USTA

Widmaier added that the lawsuit "had no impact on how Genie was treated at the U.S. Open in any manner."

Bouchard's coach, Nick Saviano, was asked whether her ability to play tennis Tuesday had been affected at all by any possible distractions created by the lawsuit.

"I can't really speak to that," Saviano said. "She was in a good frame of mind coming in. She went out, she was ready to play, and the other girl played well."

In other first-round action on Day 2 at the year's last Grand Slam tournament, sixth-seeded and two-time champion Venus Williams got through a tougher-than-expected 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 victory over Kateryna Kozlova, while her older sister Serena was going to test her sore right shoulder against Ekaterina Makarova at night. Also due to play under the lights: Andy Murray against Lukas Rosol.

There were various upsets around the grounds during the afternoon, including 19-year-old American Jared Donaldson's 4-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-0 elimination of 12th-seeded David Goffin, and a loss by No. 29 Sam Querrey, who stunned Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon. Three seeded women departed, including former No. 1 and 2008 French Open champion Ana Ivanovic.

Venus Williams appears in record-breaking 72nd Grand Slam1:02

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Genie Bouchard's lawsuit takes centre stage after early exit from U.S. Open

49ers' Kaepernick prepares to play as anthem controversy simmers

Colin Kaepernick will get one more chance to impress coach Chip Kelly before the San Francisco 49ers announce their starting quarterback even as the debate surrounding Kaepernick's refusal to stand for the national anthem remains heated.

Kelly said Tuesday that Kaepernick will play in the team's final exhibition game Thursday night in San Diego after missing the first two preseason games with a tired shoulder. This will be Kaepernick's first game since he spoke publicly over his anthem protest, saying he won't stand during the anthem because of what he described as oppression of minorities in the United States.

The 49ers declined to comment on whether there will be increased security in place for the game in San Diego when Kaepernick has said he once again will sit during the national anthem.

Blaine Gabbert, who is also in the running for the starting job, won't play because he has had 30 more plays in the preseason and Kelly does not need to evaluate him further.

Kelly said he will pick a starter for the season opener against Los Angeles on Sept. 12 sometime after Thursday night's game. He said Kaepernick remains one of his two best quarterbacks.

Kaepernick's declining play an issue

Despite that, Kelly said general manager Trent Baalke will make the final call on whether Kaepernick remains on the team's roster after the cut to 53 players on Saturday.

"It's not up to me," Kelly said. "Any decisions on this team are made through everybody. I do not have control of the 53-man roster. I don't sit there and say this is the 53 we're picking. It's a group effort."

Kelly said he wasn't sure how many quarterbacks the team will keep for the regular season. Rookie Jeff Driskel and Christian Ponder are the other two quarterbacks on the roster.

Kelly said the swirling drama around Kaepernick's protest hasn't hindered the team as it prepares for the new season despite an increased media attention since Kaepernick's stance became public on Saturday.

"When you talk to our players, they're focused on the 2016 season and how good a team the San Francisco 49ers can be," Kelly said. "As we said all along, we recognize his right to express his feelings, but that doesn't affect what we do from when we get here at 8:15 in the morning and leave at 8 o'clock at night."

Perhaps the bigger issue when it comes to Kaepernick's status on the team has been his declining play. After leading the team to the Super Bowl in 2013 and getting back to the NFC championship game the following year, Kaepernick's play has regressed.

He ended up losing his starting job to Gabbert midway through last season and then underwent three operations in the offseason on his non-throwing shoulder, right thumb and left knee. He couldn't participate in the offseason program and lost weight during his rehabilitation.

Kaepernick then missed nearly two weeks of training camp with a tired shoulder and was ineffective in his first appearance of the preseason last Friday night against Green Bay.

Protest draws global reaction 

Kaepernick's protest has drawn reaction from around the world from athletes, politicians and others. Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown, a civil rights activist during his career, told NFL Network that Kaepernick makes "all the sense in the world" and that he stands behind him "100 per cent."

But Brown also said he would not choose to protest in this manner.

"Now if you ask me, `Would I do that?' No I won't, because I see it a little differently," he said. "I'm an American citizen, I pay my taxes, I want my equal rights but this is my country, and consequently I don't want to open up for ISIS or anybody that will take away what we've already gained."

Hall of Fame basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, another activist from the 1960s, said it is more concerning that the country still faces many of the same issues that athletes like himself, Brown, boxer Muhammad Ali, and Olympic sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos protested nearly a half-century ago.

"What should horrify Americans is not Kaepernick's choice to remain seated during the national anthem, but that nearly 50 years after Ali was banned from boxing for his stance and Tommie Smith and John Carlos's raised fists caused public ostracization and numerous death threats, we still need to call attention to the same racial inequities," Abdul-Jabbar wrote in the Washington Post on Tuesday. "Failure to fix this problem is what's really un-American here."

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49ers' Kaepernick prepares to play as anthem controversy simmers

Blue Jays face crucial final month of season

For some teams, September baseball can be one of the most agonizing parts of the season. For others, it can be one of the most exciting. 

For the Toronto Blue Jays, it's the latter. 

Heading into Tuesday's games, Toronto is in first place in the American League East (75-56), sitting two games in front of the Boston Red Sox and four games ahead of the fading Baltimore Orioles. In fact, the Jays' recent surge — they're currently on a four-game win streak — has seen them push in front of the Cleveland Indians for the second-best record in the league, trailing only the AL West-leading Texas Rangers.

The Blue Jays were in an almost identical position last year, when they were 74-57 (one game worse than their current record), and led the Yankees by 1½ games for the division lead on Aug. 31. They would end up going 19-12 the rest of the way to clinch their first division title since 1993. 

Now, once again, Toronto faces an all-important final month as it tries to secure a spot in the post-season.

Here's a look at the Jays' end-of-season opponents and how they stack up.

All statistics through Aug. 29.

@ Baltimore Orioles (Aug. 30-31)

• Head-to-head: 8-6 
• Orioles' record: 71-60 (3rd in AL East, hold final wild card spot) 
• Last 10 games: 4-6

The Orioles have the worst record in the division since the all-star break at 20-24. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays have the best in the entire AL at 24-16. 

@ Tampa Bay Rays (Sept. 2-4) 

• Head-to-head: 6-7
• Rays' record: 55-75 (5th in AL East) 
• Last 10 games: 5-5 

Tampa Bay's defence and pitching have been among the best in all of baseball since the all-star break giving up the fewest number of runs in the AL with 148. They've also scored the second most with 201, resulting in a 21-21 record since the break.

@ New York Yankees (Sept. 5-7) 

• Head-to-head: 9-3 
• Yankees' record: 67-63 (4th in AL East, 3½ games out of wild card) 
• Last 10 games: 6-4

Since Gary Sanchez's call-up on Aug. 3, the Yankees have gone 13-10 to stay in the wild card hunt. Sanchez has hit .417 with 11 home runs and 21 RBI in those 23 games. 

Vs. Boston Red Sox (Sept. 9-11)

• Head-to-head: 7-6
• Red Sox' record: 73-58 (2nd in AL East, hold top wild card spot) 
• Last 10 games: 5-5 

ESPN's Buster Olney noted that in games started by anyone other than Rick Porcello, the Red Sox have a record of 53-51. In games started by anyone other than J.A. Happ, the Blue Jays have a record of 56-50.

Vs. Tampa Bay Rays (Sept. 12-14) 

@ Los Angeles Angels (Sept. 15-18) 

• Head-to-head: 1-2 
• Angels' record: 57-74 (Last in AL. West)
• Last 10 games: 6-4

Albert Pujols is one home run away from grabbing sole possession of ninth place all-time. He is currently tied with Frank Robinson at 586.

@ Seattle Mariners (Sept. 19-21) 

• Head-to-head: 1-2
• Mariners' record: 68-63 (3 games out of wild card)
• Last 10 games: 3-7

Just 10 days ago, on Aug. 20, the Mariners were 66-56, one game behind Baltimore for the final wild card spot in the AL. Since then, they've lost seven of nine games. 

vs. New York Yankees (Sept. 23-26)

vs. Baltimore Orioles (Sept. 27-29) 

@ Boston Red Sox (Sept. 30-Oct. 2) 

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Blue Jays face crucial final month of season

Refugee crisis leaves mark on Rio Olympics

My mixed feelings post-Rio left me searching for hope. Is the Olympic movement doing anything right? Is there hope for the social aims of the games?

We all bought into the pre-games criticism. Fears of Zika, political meltdowns, social oppression and security issues kept too many of us away from Brazil. These same fears also kept visiting Olympic fans away from local Brazilian culture and firmly within the heavily guarded Olympic bubble. I entered these games with more hesitation, critical feelings and fear than I had ever experienced.

In spite of the negative pre-Games narrative, the Rio Olympics were a successful sports spectacle. The athletes – as always – made the games a success. I was amazed by sprinters Usain Bolt and Andre De Grasse. Swimmers Penny Oleksiak and Michael Phelps ripped up the pool. Brazil won men's soccer.

But I kept wondering, can the Olympic movement achieve something more than a sporting spectacle? My answer came from an unexpected place. It came from last place.

Refugee runner

At the Games, I watched James Chiengjiek finish last in his 400-metre heat. He wasn't behind by a little bit. He was way back. I wondered how that made him feel.

Chiengjiek (pronounced: Cheng'GEE'yick) was part of the first-ever Olympic refugee team. After his father was killed in the South Sudan war, he ran from his homeland to avoid being a child soldier.

I was drawn to Chiengjiek's story because my grandfather was also a refugee athlete. He was an Estonian shot putter living in Sweden who was unable to compete in London 1948. The Soviets had taken his country, and the Swedes would not give him citizenship. Like Chiengjiek, my grandfather was a man without a country.

After his race, Chiengjiek sighed. He looked into the stands. To my eyes, he looked both amazed and confused. I wondered what he thought, but I didn't have the necessary accreditation to speak with Chiengjiek.  

As he walked closer to the stands, I was moved by the moment. I climbed up the black railing that blocked me from the athletes. I leaned over and reached out to shake Chiengjiek's hand. His dark eyes looked at my blonde, balding face. He then gave me a soft and pensive handshake – if handshakes can be like that. I told him that I watched his race, and that I was proud of him.

Chiengjiek looked a bit overwhelmed. He was certainly out of place. But he came back with some words that touched my heart. Chiengjiek said that he was honoured to be here at the games, and to bring attention to the plight of refugees worldwide. Regardless of his result, I believe he was happy to compete. He was honoured to be an ambassador.

How much impact will Chiengjiek's race have on the world? I don't know. His participation in the games is not the only answer to the refugee crisis, but it feels right. Athletes like Chiengjiek remind us of why sport matters. With more sport, I believe there will be less war and fewer refugees.

The moral equivalent of war

I refer to the late psychologist William James and his essay, "The Moral Equivalent of War." He observed that both sport and warfare lift life to "a higher plane of power." Both enable the expression of higher human qualities, which often lie dormant in ordinary life.

Discipline, courage, perseverance and self-sacrifice are all evident. Warfare creates a powerful sense of community, in the face of a collective threat. It binds people together and creates a sense of cohesion. So does sport. We need more sport and less war.

Those who encourage violence and war will work hard to discourage sport. Just last month, ISIS Warlords beheaded four Syrian soccer players in the town of Raqqa. The extremists have banned all organized sport, and in a twisted turn of events, crowds came to the athletes' former soccer stadium to watch their beheadings.

Psychological effects

This is why a war story makes the sports section, and this is why refugees are now supported to compete at the Olympic games: Sport is better than war. Sport satisfies most of the same psychological needs as warfare, and has similar psychological and social effects.

In Colombia and Brazil, for example, the promotion of soccer in areas of high gang activity has led to a significant reduction in crime and violence. The Human Security Report Project in 2006 has reported a steady decline in deaths from group conflicts over the last 75 years. Over the same time period, sport participation has increased significantly.

And to think, instead of being recruited to be a child soldier, Cheingjiek was recruited to be a runner. That's a sport story that deserves more clicks than killer mosquitos. That's a sports story I want to read again.

Chiengjiek's Message

To honor Chiengjiek's courage, I'm sharing some stats from the United Nations High Commission on Refugees:

• Every day 34,000 people are forcibly displaced from their homes
• We are now witnessing the highest levels of displacement on record
• Our world has 21.3 million refugees – more than half are aged 18 or younger
• 10 million people are stateless and have been denied access to basic rights such as education, healthcare, employment and freedom of movement

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Refugee crisis leaves mark on Rio Olympics

Rio 2016 Paralympics: CBC Sports to provide extensive coverage

The Rio 2016 Paralympic Games are just over a week away and CBC/Radio-Canada is ready to bring Canadians up close to all of the thrills and emotion of the athletic competition.

From the opening ceremony on Sept. 7 through to the closing ceremony on Sept. 18, CBC will broadcast more than 1,000 hours of multi-platform coverage, the most of any Paralympics in Canadian history. 

Television coverage will be available on CBC, Sportsnet 1 and AMI-tv, and on-line at http://ift.tt/2bxCAC1 as well as with the CBC Sports app available for iOS and Android devices.

Digital platforms

Similar to the 2016 Olympic Games coverage, CBC's digital-first strategy will allow viewers to choose from up to 11 competitions being shown simultaneously.

Scott Russell will host Paralympic Games Afternoon, Paralympic Games Primetime and Paralympic Games Wrap-Up throughout the 12 days of thrilling action from Rio.

Scott Russell, the longtime voice of high-performance sports in Canada, will host CBC's English Paralympic coverage throughout all 12 days. 

Russell, who is fresh off hosting Olympic Games Primetime on CBC during the Rio Olympics, will be joined by three-time Paralympian Stephanie Dixon as well as Paralympian and broadcaster Rob Snoek.

For the opening and closing ceremonies, Russell will also be accompanied by Paralympic medallist Greg Westlake. 

Important partner

"CBC/Radio-Canada is proud to be an important partner [in] providing Canadian audiences more access to Canada's Paralympic athletes and their sports than ever before," Greg Stremlaw, executive director of CBC Sports, said via a release. 

"As Canada's Paralympic network, CBC/Radio-Canada is committed to showcasing the stories and tremendous talent of these athletes from Canada and the around the world across multiple platforms, ensuring Canadians will not have to miss a minute of the action from Rio." 

CBC's Paralympic television coverage will feature three separate blocks, all hosted by Russell. Paralympic Games Afternoon and Paralympic Games Primetime will broadcast both Saturdays and Sundays of the Games, while Paralympic Games Wrap-Up will air each night between Sept. 7 to 18. 

Radio-Canada, CBC's French-language station, will also have extensive coverage of the Paralympics, featuring close to 700 hours of television and live streams. Marie-José Turcotte, Philippe Gagnon and Jean St-Onge will anchor the coverage. 

A full schedule of CBC's Paralympic television coverage is listed below. 

Social media 

CBC will also have extensive social media coverage of the Games.

Twitter: @cbcolympics | @RC_Sport

Instagram: @cbcolympics | @rc_sport

Snapchat: CBCSports

Watch Paralympics on CBC TV

Wednesday, Sept. 7

• Opening ceremony (6:30 p.m. ET).

Thursday, Sept. 8 

• Paralympic Games wrap-up (12 a.m. local).

Friday, Sept. 9  

• Paralympic Games wrap-up (1 a.m. local).

Saturday, Sept. 10

• Paralympic Games Afternoon (12 p.m. ET)
• Paralympic Games Primetime (7 p.m., live in Ont. and east, 7:30 p.m. local to west
• Paralympic Games wrap-up (10 p.m., live in Ont. and east, 10 p.m. local to west).

Sunday, Sept. 11 

• Paralympic Games afternoon (1 p.m. ET, 10 p.m. PT) 
• Paralympic Games primetime (6 p.m. local) 
• Paralympic Games wrap-up (12 a.m. local)

Monday Sept. 12  

• Paralympic Games wrap-up (12 a.m. local)

Tuesday Sept. 13 

• Paralympic Games wrap-up (12 a.m. local).

Wednesday Sept. 14

• Paralympic Games wrap-up (12 a.m. local).

Thursday Sept. 15

• Paralympic Games wrap-up (12 a.m. local).

Friday Sept. 16

• Paralympic Games wrap-up (12 a.m. local).

Saturday Sept. 17

• Paralympic Games afternoon (3 p.m. ET, 12 p.m. PT) 
• Paralympic Games primetime (8 p.m. ET, live in Ont. and east, 8 p.m. local to west)
• Paralympic Games wrap-up (12 a.m. local).

Sunday, Sept. 18

• Paralympic Games afternoon (2 p.m. ET, 11 a.m. PT)
• Closing Ceremony (6 p.m. ET, live in Ont. and east, 6 p.m. local to west).

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Rio 2016 Paralympics: CBC Sports to provide extensive coverage

CFL Power Rankings: Stampeders still team to beat

Malcolm Kelly breaks down the balance of power in the Canadian Football League.

1. Calgary Stampeders (Unchanged)

• Overall Record: 7-1-1
• Streak: Unbeaten in 8
• Next: Edmonton

Looked like an old fashioned CFL shootout there for a bit, until the game with Hamilton settled into an old fashioned beat 'em up. What gave this to the White Stallions was their discipline – taking just five penalties for 22 yards while the Cats had 14. One of the Stamps flags was bothersome as a 115-yard pick 6 by Tommie Campbell with under two minutes to go was called back due to illegal contact by Joe Burnett. He was about 3 cm outside the five-yard "chuck" area and on the other side of the field. Ticky-Tacky. No matter, Rene Paredes hit a 45 yarder (his fifth field goal) with :37 left to seal the deal. Putting mics on the QBs was kind of cool, but the nomenclature is like a foreign language so the novelty will wear off quickly. You can see these teams in the Grey Cup.

2. B.C. Lions (Up from 3)

• Overall record: 6-3
• Streak: Won 1
• Next: At Toronto

Four yards and a cloud of those little black rubber pieces they make the turf out of these days can be a strong answer in a defensive battle, and the Leos needed every one of them in a victory over Ottawa on the road. Led by Anthony Allen (13-for-76), B.C. piled up 128 on the ground. QB Jonathon Jennings took them on a 10 play, 81-yard drive with time running out to steal this one away in the Land of the Selfie. Not that everything was peachy – the O-line allowed six sacks, specials gave up 203 in returns. On the other foot, Leos took three penalties. Defensively, this was a gem for the guys in the Clemson road uniforms, pressuring the pivot all night. B.C. is now 4-1 on the road. Toronto is next on the trip, and you don't want to wreck the mood by losing.

Lions defeat Redblacks in Ottawa1:04

3. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (Up from 4)

• Overall record: 5-4
• Streak: Won 4
• Next: At Saskatchewan

There must be a moment when Holy Cow ends and you treat a team as a legit playoff contender. That's now for the Bombers, winners of four straight. Montreal had the Peg offence in check for much of the game, keeping four promising drives down to field goals. It took most of the second half for either team to get inside the other's 30, and it was Matt Nichols who came through, leading the O on a five play drive for a field goal, and nine plays for a major. Big Blue won this because of their maturing, ball happy defence, one that now has 17 picks, adding to the total with two in the late going. Nobody is as good at takeaways across the league right now than this group. Don't get arrogant and let down in Regina.

4. Ottawa Redblacks (Down from 2)

• Overall record: 4-4-1
• Streak: Lost 2
• Next: At Montreal

The RBs are finding out how tough this league is when the other team isn't surprised any more. A defensive affair with B.C. turned because Ottawa couldn't tackle and took dumb penalties. RBs only saw seven flags all night, but each one seemed to be at the worst time. Where the tackling really hurt was on specials, as Ottawa gave up 200 yards on returns. Lions gave up 203, but weren't as docked by it. QB Trevor Harris, making his first start in front of a healthy Henry Burris, rather than because of injury, went 23-of-30, 353 yards, 1 TD, no picks, but he was also sacked four times and fumbled twice. Of the four losses, three have been at home. Injury report: GM Marcel Desjardins went down with a knee problem after being run over on the sidelines after a kick return.

5. Edmonton Eskimos (Up from 6)

• Overall record: 5-4
• Streak: Won 3
• Next: At Calgary

Lesson for the week: If you shut down too early on anybody, even Saskatchewan, you might be embarrassed. An impressive first half had a big crowd in hysterics as the Eskimos went up 22-3. Blowout! Revenge on Chris Jones for leaving us!! With three minutes to go in the game, the visitors were sitting within a touchdown after 22 points of their own following the interval. It was up to the defence to lock it down, and it did. RB Shakir Bell was on a mission, carrying 18 times for 138 yards. Add that to the scampering by QB Mike Reilly and Edmonton put the ball on the ground 24 times, almost unheard of these days. Sean Whyte kicked 12 points. Now, the Labour Day back-to-backs with Calgary and a chance for first place.

6. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (Down from 5)

• Overall record: 4-5
• Streak: Lost 1
• Next: Toronto

What came between the Cats and a victory in Calgary was too many orange hankies. There were 14 in total, 11 in the opening half. Where they really hurt was on returns taking away good field position in a game that turned on where you started drives. Now that Zach Collaros has returned, Hamilton is back to its John Stewart offence (Bombs Away Dream Babies) of last year. Zach threw a huge 53 balls, completing 34 of them for 439 yards and three TDs. Unfortunately, two were in the final seven minutes when they had fallen behind a bit far. Defensive coordinators had better work out how to stop the Zach-to-Terrence show, as receiver Toliver has now caught 14 balls for 322 yards in just two games.

Stampeders hold on to beat Tiger-Cats 30-240:38

7. Toronto Argonauts (Unchanged due to bye)

• Overall record: 4-4
• Streak: Lost 2
• Next: B.C. and At Hamilton

While the Argos wait for their fans to step away from watching the club on TV and show up in person (and it's time, if you care about football in Toronto), they can at least take some solace in knowing they're still right in this thing. That's despite two bad losses at home, where the club is 1-4. Ricky Ray is back at QB after missing three games, and since he knows the difference between blue uniforms and white ones, there should be less picks. Argos started their bye week by cutting number two tackler Keon Raymond. This could be a money play as funds are needed to fill some other holes (like backup QB). Tough week with B.C. in, then the Labour Day classic at Medical Research Town vs. the Cats, but the club is getting healthier finally.

8. Montreal Alouettes (Unchanged)

• Overall record: 3-6
• Streak: Lost 1
• Next: Ottawa

For a while it seemed the big bounce in Ottawa would continue as the Larks' offence played a strong first half against a good Winnipeg defence. Trailing 19-18 into the orange slices and energy packs, Montreal had a chance to convince folks they can be a factor. Then ... zero points. Defensively, the unit held up until the fourth, when the Blue Bombers finally broke through the 30 yard line for 13 points. Kevin Glenn (29-of-38, 283 yards) replaced his five touchdowns of the week previous with four picks this time, though two were late when he was forcing it out of desperation. Montreal has lost nine of its last 11 at home, and that isn't helping ticket sales as under 20,000 took this in. Receiver Duron Carter will finally serve his one-game suspension from Week One.

Blue Bombers beat Alouettes for 4th straight win1:05

9. Saskatchewan Roughriders (Unchanged)

• Overall record: 1-8
• Streak: Lost 5
• Next: Winnipeg

"The long sobs of autumn's violins"* can now be heard across the central prairie as the Roughriders sink slowly into unimportance. This week they decided to put up a fight, however, rather than just give in to an early offensive invasion by the Eskimos. Falling down 22-0 before the half, the Green and White clawed back to within four by the end of three periods. That was pride talking ... they could have quit on the spot. What cost the defence was an inability to stop the ground attack – 183 yards that not only ate up field but clock. There were also too many early opportunities underneath the coverage as the DBs kept dropping back off the cliff. If the new overlord could stop parachuting in so many new players, there might be time to build a little cohesion.

*Paul Verlaine (1866) ... trying to improve the culture levels around here again.

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CFL Power Rankings: Stampeders still team to beat

Estrada baffles Orioles, Blue Jays tighten grip on division lead

Josh Donaldson hit his fourth homer in two days and Jose Bautista also went deep in support of Marco Estrada, leading the Toronto Blue Jays over the Baltimore Orioles 5-1 on Monday night. 

Toronto leads third-place Baltimore by four games in the AL East. The Orioles have lost four out of five and are clinging to the second wild card.

In Boston, the Red Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays 9-4 to stay two games back of the Jays.

Donaldson hit a solo homer in the fourth to tie it 1-1. The AL MVP had three homers in a 9-6 win over Minnesota on Sunday.

Estrada (8-6) allowed one run and four hits with four strikeouts over seven-plus innings. The Blue Jays have won three of his four starts against the Orioles this year.

J.J. Hardy provided Baltimore's only run with his eighth homer in the third.

Bautista goes deep 

Baltimore left-hander Wade Miley (8-11) allowed three runs and five hits while tying a season high with nine strikeouts over seven innings. He has lost three of six starts since being acquired from Seattle on July 31.

Miley retired the first 10 batters before allowing Donaldson's 34th home run. Troy Tulowitzki gave the Blue Jays a 2-1 lead later that inning with an RBI single.

Bautista provided a two-run cushion when he led off the sixth with his 16th homer.

The Blue Jays added two more runs in the ninth on an RBI single by Justin Smoak and a fielder's choice by Devon Travis off Tommy Hunter.

Earlier in the day, Dioner Navarro reported to the Blue Jays, three days after the club re-acquired the catcher from the Chicago White Sox for LHP Colton Turner. Navarro played with Toronto in 2013-14 before signing with the White Sox in December. 

To make room, Josh Thole was designated for assignment.

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Estrada baffles Orioles, Blue Jays tighten grip on division lead

Kaepernick's anthem protest sets off firestorm in U.S.

From the White House to San Francisco police union headquarters and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Colin Kaepernick's name came up Monday as his decision to sit down during the national anthem reached far beyond football.

And many aren't thrilled with the 49ers quarterback's strong words about why he is doing it: to instigate change and challenge authority when it comes to race relations and what he considers police brutality.

Even his former coach, outspoken Michigan leader Jim Harbaugh, chimed in from afar in disagreement with Kaepernick's tactics — clarifying some earlier remarks that questioned the quarterback's motivation.

"I apologize for misspeaking my true sentiments. To clarify, I support Colin's motivation. It's his method of action that I take exception to," Harbaugh posted on Twitter.

Kaepernick, who has sat through the anthem at all three 49ers preseason games so far, is prepared to keep fighting for what he believes in, even alone.

'It brings awareness'

"The fact that it has blown up like this, I think it's a good thing. It brings awareness," Kaepernick said Sunday. "Now, I think people are really talking about it. Having conversations about how to make change. What's really going on in this country. And we can move forward. ...There is police brutality. People of color have been targeted by police. So that's a large part of it and they're government officials. They are put in place by the government. So that's something that this country has to change. There's things we can do to hold them more accountable. Make those standards higher."

Martin Halloran, the San Francisco Police Officers Association president, sent a letter Monday to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and 49ers CEO Jed York denouncing Kaepernick's "ill-advised" statements and a "naivete" and "total lack of sensitivity" toward police, along with an "incredible lack of knowledge" about officer-involved shootings.

The police union invited Kaepernick or anyone else from the league to visit the San Francisco police academy to build communication and understanding about the profession.

"I only wish Mr. Kaepernick could see the emotional and psychological challenges that our officers face following a fatal encounter," Halloran wrote. "Some are so affected they never return to the streets. In short, Mr. Kaepernick has embarrassed himself, the 49er organization, and the NFL based on a false narrative and misinformation that lacks any factual basis."

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said he was confident President Barack Obama is aware of Kaepernick's actions but hadn't spoken directly with the president about it.

White House weighs in

"In general, what I can say is that I certainly don't share the views that Mr. Kaepernick expressed after the game in explaining his reasoning for his actions, but we surely would all acknowledge and even defend his right to express those views in the settings that he chooses," Earnest said. "That's what he's done, and even as objectionable as we find his perspective, he certainly is entitled to express it."

Kaepernick's stance about sitting through the anthem, which he further explained Sunday after he was shown sitting on the bench for "The Star-Spangled Banner" before Friday's preseason loss to the Packers, was still the chatter around the NFL, too.

Steelers left tackle Alejandro Villanueva, who played at Army and served in Afghanistan before forging a job in the NFL, said he agrees that the U.S. "is not perfect" but insists it is the best country and he is unsure how he would react if one of his teammates sat down for the anthem.

"I just know that I am very thankful to be an American. I will stand very proudly, and I will sing every single line in the national anthem every single time I hear it," Villanueva said. "I will stop whatever I am doing, because I recognize that I have to be very thankful to be in this country."

As some of Kaepernick's teammates noted Sunday, many are offended by his bold move — one he plans to continue indefinitely.

"The American flag and our national anthem stand for something, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States salutes all who stand with us," said Veterans of Foreign Wars National Commander Brian Duffy.

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Kaepernick's anthem protest sets off firestorm in U.S.

U.S. Open: Canada's Vasek Pospisil advances to 2nd round in straight sets

Canada's Vasek Pospisil unleashed 26 winners to defeat Slovakia's Jozef Kovalik in straight sets 6-1, 6-3, 6-3 on Monday. The victory was Pospisil's first main draw win at the U.S. Open since 2011.

Following match point, Pospisil's elation was evident as he pumped his fists in celebration.

"I finally recognized myself on the court," said the 26-year-old from Vernon, B.C., ranked 123rd in the world. "It was a great match for me. I lost [myself] for a while, but I'm back now."

Next up for Pospisil will either be Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka or South Africa's Kevin Anderson. 

Later Monday, fifth seed Milos Raonic of Thornhill, Ont., faced Germany's Dustin Brown.

Montreal's Eugenie Bouchard, ranked 40th in the world, is scheduled to play her first-round match Tuesday against 73-ranked Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic.

Adding intrigue to Bouchard's tournament is the fact she is in the process of suing the U.S. Tennis Association. She launched the suit after slipping and hitting her head in the locker room at last year's event.

Nadal wraps up win, Isner rallies 

Playing with his left wrist heavily bandaged, Rafael Nadal won his first Grand Slam match in more than three months, easily beating Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 at the U.S. Open.

Nadal's first-round victory in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday was straightforward. He produced 14 of his 21 winners via his forehand, which showed little sign of being troubled by a wrist he says is still not completely healed.

Nadal hadn't played at a major since winning his second-round match at the French Open on May 26. He then withdrew from Roland Garros before the third round and sat out Wimbledon because of the problematic wrist.

Rafael Nadal breezes into 2nd round at US Open0:45

In a matchup of American tennis present and future, 31-year-old John Isner rallied from down two sets to edge 18-year-old Frances Tiafoe in the first round of the U.S. Open.

The 125th-ranked Tiafoe had a chance to serve out the match in the fifth set Monday, but Isner broke back then pulled away in the final tiebreaker to win 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2, 7-6 (3) in 3 hours, 27 minutes.

It was just the second career comeback from two sets down for Isner. Tiafoe had never before played a five-set match.

Marin Cilic, the 2014 U.S. Open champ, is through to the second round with a straight-set win.

The seventh-seeded Cilic beat 108th-ranked Rogerio Dutra Silva 6-4, 7-5, 6-1 on Monday despite posting more unforced errors than winners (24-23). Cilic is coming off his first Masters title, beating Andy Murray in the final at Cincinnati.

Muguruza pulls through, Kerber breezes 

French Open champ Garbine Muguruza lost the first set, called for the trainer and complained about trouble breathing. She won the second set without dropping a game, then pulled out a tough third set to move on at the U.S. Open.

The third-seeded Spaniard beat Belgian qualifier Elise Mertens 2-6, 6-0, 6-3 in the first round Monday. She had to save a break point at 3-3 in the third.

The 22-year-old Muguruza went just 3-3 in her next six matches after winning her first major title at Roland Garros, before making a semifinal run at Cincinnati.

With temperatures in the low 90s, the heat rule went into effect before the third set, giving the players a 10-minute break.

The 137th-ranked Mertens is 20 years old and was making her Grand Slam debut. This was the first time she faced a top-20 opponent.

Muguruza has never gone past the second round at the U.S. Open.

Polona Hercog says she had been sick for several days before her first-round U.S. Open match, in which she retired after suffering from dizziness and cramping.

The 120th-ranked Slovenian was trailing 6-0, 1-0 to second-seeded Angelique Kerber on Monday. Hercog says she felt dizzy after long rallies, and her legs started cramping in the fourth or fifth game. The 90-degree heat didn't help.

Bellis stuns, Wozniacki opens Grandstand

American teen CiCi Bellis is now 2-for-2 in the first round of the U.S. Open.

The darling of the 2014 tournament after she stunned Australian Open runner-up Dominika Cibulkova as a 15-year-old, Bellis is back in the main draw this year and beat 65th-ranked Viktorija Golubic 6-2, 6-3 on Monday.

Bellis, now 17, is ranked 158th and advanced through qualifying to make the field. She next faces another American, Shelby Rogers, who upset 27th-seeded Sara Errani.

Two-time U.S. Open runner-up Caroline Wozniacki rallied from a set down for her first Grand Slam match win of 2016.

Wozniacki beat American qualifier Taylor Townsend 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Monday in the first-ever match at the new 8,000-seat Grandstand. She lost in the first round at this year's Australian Open and Wimbledon and skipped the French Open because of a right ankle injury that forced her to miss 2 1/2 months. The former No. 1 player's ranking has slipped to 74th, and she's unseeded at Flushing Meadows for the first time since her debut in 2007.

The 20-year-old Townsend, ranked 146th, was playing her second U.S. Open.

Richard Gasquet, the first seeded player to lose at the U.S. Open, summed up his quick exit this way: "Not sure I could do worse."

The 13th-seeded Gasquet, a semifinalist at Flushing Meadows in 2013, hadn't lost in the first round at a Grand Slam tournament since the French Open 6 1/2 years ago.

His 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 loss Monday was the first career victory over a player ranked in the top 15 for No. 84 Kyle Edmund of Britain.

​Vinci heats up Ashe

The woman who stunned Serena Williams at last year's U.S. Open en route to the final, Roberta Vinci of Italy, won the first match in the tournament's refurbished Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Vinci, who is seeded No. 7, overcame some second-set jitters to beat 46th-ranked Anna-Lena Friedsam of Germany 6-2, 6-4 on Monday.

In the 2015 semifinals at Flushing Meadows, Vinci — unseeded and ranked 43rd at the time — upset Williams, ending the American's bid for tennis' first calendar-year Grand Slam in 27 years. That put Vinci into her first major final, where she lost to another Italian, childhood friend Flavia Pennetta.

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U.S. Open: Canada's Vasek Pospisil advances to 2nd round in straight sets

World Cup of Hockey: 10 unknown players you should know

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World Cup of Hockey: 10 unknown players you should know

Toronto FC apologizes for sexually explicit fan poster

The Toronto FC issued a statement on Twitter apologizing for the offensive sign one of the soccer club's fans held up at Saturday's game, but some say the apology features a major omission — women.

"We sincerely apologize to the Montreal Impact, the city of Montreal and all fans for this disgraceful act," Toronto FC tweeted Monday morning.

The poster depicted a woman in Montreal Impact colours performing a sexual act on a man in Toronto FC colours.

In bold letters, the phrase said, "Montreal sucks."

The poster, not shown in full, depicted a woman wearing Montreal Impact colours performing a sexual act on a man in Toronto FC colours. (Twitter)

Critics said the team missed the opportunity to apologize to women directly.

A group called Montreal Impact LGBT + Supporters replied to the tweet, saying that addressing the misogyny in the image would have made more sense than apologizing to offended soccer fans.

.@TorontoFC Thanks for this. However, naming the misogyny & sexism implied by this banner would've been better. #WordsAreImportant #TFCLive

— @ImpactLGBT

Another user wrote he was disappointed that his son is learning disrespect for women at a soccer stadium.

@torontofc As a man who respects women, and teaches that respect to my son, I'm embarassed you skipped the real issue here. Big fail.

— @LeKurosawa

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Toronto FC apologizes for sexually explicit fan poster

Nine-time gold medallist Benoit Huot leads Canada's Paralympic team in Rio

Canada will be bringing 162 athletes to the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, the Canadian Paralympic Committee announced on Monday.

The Paralympics will feature two new sports, para-triathlon and para-canoe.

The team will be led by swimmer Benoit Huot, one of the most decorated Paralympians Canada has ever produced.  

In four previous Games, the 32-year-old Saint-Lambert, Que., swimmer won 19 medals — nine gold, five silver and five bronze.

He was chosen Canada's flag-bearer at the closing ceremony of the London Games in 2012.

Canada's future in the pool remains strong, with 2014 female para-swimmer of the year Aurélie Rivard leading the charge.

The 20-year-old, who captured silver at the 2012 London Paralympics, broke through in 2015, winning two gold medals at the IPC world championships. A month later, the St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., native cleaned up at the Toronto Parapan Ams by winning five gold medals.

"Congratulations to this entire group of dedicated, world-class athletes and coaches who have worked relentlessly to earn the honor of representing Canada in Rio," said chef de mission Paralympic Hall of Famer Chantal Petitclerc.

"I know that our Canadian contingent is prepared, focused and ready to take on the challenge of Team Canada's performance goal of placing in the top 16 nations in the total medal count."

Team Canada's oldest athlete is 59-year-old table tennis player Stephanie Chan from Vancouver, while the youngest athlete is 13-year-old swimmer Danielle Doris, of Moncton, N.B.

There are also seven Canadian athletes recently added through quota spots as a result of Russia's ban from the Rio Paralympics.

They include: swimmers Camille Bérubé (Gatineau, Que.), Zack McAllister (Lethbridge, Alta.), Jean-Michel Lavallière (Quebec City) and Danial Murphy (Bedford, N.S.); wheelchair fencer Mathieu Hébert (Valleyfield, Que.); and road cycling tandem Shawna Ryan (Saskatoon) and pilot Joanie Caron (Rimouski, Que.).

The Games, which will be streamed live on CBCSports.ca, begin with the opening ceremony on Sept. 7 and run through Sept. 18.

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Nine-time gold medallist Benoit Huot leads Canada's Paralympic team in Rio

Toronto FC star Sebastian Giovinco to miss 4 weeks with injury

Toronto FC will be without Sebastian Giovinco for four weeks after the star forward suffered strains in his quadriceps and adductor.

Giovinco's injuries occurred in the second half of Saturday's 1-0 Major League Soccer home loss to the Montreal Impact.

Last season's most valuable player is having another MVP-calibre year. Giovinco has made 29 combined appearances between MLS league play and the Amway Canadian Championship, scoring 17 goals and adding 13 assists.

Toronto FC also announced that midfielder Jay Chapman will be out three weeks with medial collateral ligament tear and defender Ashtone Morgan is scheduled to undergo surgery on Friday for a stress fracture in his foot. Morgan is expected to be out of the line-up for six-to-eight weeks.

The timing of the injuries is unfortunate for Toronto FC. The club is challenging for the Supporters Shield for best regular-season record after going on a seven-game unbeaten streak before the loss to Montreal.

Toronto currently leads the Eastern Conference standings with 43 points, two more than New York City FC. The Reds are off until Sept. 10, when they visit the Chicago Fire.

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Toronto FC star Sebastian Giovinco to miss 4 weeks with injury

Tomas Plekanec named Czech captain for World Cup of Hockey

To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted.

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Tomas Plekanec named Czech captain for World Cup of Hockey

Colin Kaepernick plans to sit through anthem until he sees 'significant change'

Defiant, and determined to be a conduit for U.S. change, Colin Kaepernick plans to sit through the national anthem for as long as he feels is appropriate and until he sees significant progress in America — specifically when it comes to race relations.

He knows he could be cut by the San Francisco 49ers for this stand against police brutality against minorities. Criticized, ostracized, and he'll go it all alone if need be.

The quarterback realizes he might be treated poorly in some road cities, and he's ready for that, too, saying he's not overly concerned about his safety, but "if something happens that's only proving my point."

"I'm going to continue to stand with the people that are being oppressed," Kaepernick said at his locker on Sunday. "To me this is something that has to change. When there's significant change and I feel like that flag represents what it's supposed to represent, this country is representing people the way that it's supposed to, I'll stand."

Kaepernick hasn't stood for the anthem in any of the team's three NFL preseason games, and insists whatever the consequences, he will know "I did what's right." He said he hasn't heard from the NFL or anyone else about his actions, and it won't matter if he does.

'No one's tried to quiet me'

"No one's tried to quiet me and, to be honest, it's not something I'm going to be quiet about," he said. "I'm going to speak the truth when I'm asked about it. This isn't for look. This isn't for publicity or anything like that. This is for people that don't have the voice. And this is for people that are being oppressed and need to have equal opportunities to be successful. To provide for families and not live in poor circumstances."

Kaepernick took the field on Sunday with the 49ers as his stance drew chatter across NFL camps. He explained his viewpoints to teammates in the morning, some agreeing with his message but not necessarily his method. Some said they know he has offended his countrymen, others didn't even know what he had done.

"Every guy on this team is entitled to their opinion. We're all grown men," linebacker NaVorro Bowman said.

"I agree with what he did, but not in the way he did it," wideout Torrey Smith said. "That's not for me. He has that right. Soldiers have died for his right to do exactly what he did. ... I know he's taken a lot of heat for it. He understands that when you do something like that it does offend a lot of people."

"You can become a cop in six months and don't have to have the same amount of training as a cosmetologist" - Colin Kaepernick

Both Bowman and Smith are African American.

"You can become a cop in six months and don't have to have the same amount of training as a cosmetologist," Kaepernick said. "That's insane. Someone that's holding a curling iron has more education and more training than people that have a gun and are going out on the street to protect us."

In college at Nevada, Kaepernick said, police were called one day "because we were the only black people in that neighborhood." Officers entered without knocking and drew guns on him and his teammates and roommates as they were moving their belongings, he said.

Kaepernick criticized presidential candidates Donald Trump ("openly racist") and Hillary Clinton; called out police brutality against minorities; and pushed for accountability of public officials.

After swirling trade talks all offseason following Kaepernick's three surgeries and sub-par 2015 season, he has done everything so far but play good American football, and he doesn't plan for this to be a distraction.

Coach Chip Kelly has said Kaepernick has the right to stand or not stand for the anthem.

Kaepernick was prepared for whatever comes next.

"There's a lot of consequences that come along with this. There's a lot of people that don't want to have this conversation," he said. "They're scared they might lose their job. Or they might not get the endorsements. They might not be treated the same way. Those are things I'm prepared to handle. ...

"At this point, I've been blessed to be able to get this far and have the privilege of being able to be in the NFL, making the kind of money I make, and enjoy luxuries like that. I can't look in the mirror and see people dying on the street that should have the same opportunities that I've had."

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Colin Kaepernick plans to sit through anthem until he sees 'significant change'

Stampeders hold off Tiger-Cats for 6th-straight win

DaVaris Daniels has a couple souvenirs to send his mom after helping lead the Calgary Stampeders to a 30-24 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Sunday night.

Playing in just his second CFL game, Daniels blocked a punt that led to a field goal before he caught a 76-yard touchdown pass from Bo Levi Mitchell as time expired in the first quarter.

"I got a game ball and I kept the touchdown ball, so I'm happy guy right now," said the 23-year-old receiver, who had five catches for 108 yards. "I'll probably send them to my mom (Leslie Daniels in Philadelphia). I know she's been waiting for this moment for a long time."

It wasn't all good news for Daniels, though. He had to go to the locker room for treatment after sustaining a leg injury late in the first half.

"He's just banged up on his leg," said Calgary coach Dave Dickenson. "It might just be a thigh bruise, but unfortunately he couldn't really run after that. It's not ligaments or anything like that. He took a shot on the outside of the thigh and he just wasn't the same guy after that."

Mitchell was 27 of 37 passing for 323 yards and the one touchdown. Jerome Messam also ran for a TD as the Stampeders (7-1-1) won their sixth in a row while extending their unbeaten streak to eight games.

"I thought our discipline was there and we didn't turn the ball over," said Dickenson. "It's hard to beat us when we're playing good discipline, smart football, fundamentally sound and guys making plays."

The last time the Stamps went eight games without a loss was when they had a 10-game unbeaten streak over two seasons that ended in August of 1995. The last time they accomplished the feat in the same season was when they won eight in a row from July 16 to Sept. 5, 1994.

The team also hosted several returning Summer Olympians at the game, including wrestling gold medallist Erica Wiebe.

Stadium selfie! Thanks @calstampeders and congrats on the win! #teamcanada http://pic.twitter.com/DaWNgwp8Gi

— @jess__oconnell

Ticats' rally falls short

Hamilton quarterback Zach Collaros threw a pair of touchdown passes to Terrence Toliver and another one to Luke Tasker, while Brett Maher kicked a field goal for the Tiger-Cats (4-5).

"When you play Calgary, you have to play mistake-free football because they typically play mistake-free football and we didn't do that in all three facets," said Collaros, who was 34 of 53 for 439 yards and the three TDs. "That gets you into field position issues, second-and-long issues and it makes it tough."

Daniels' punt block early in the fourth quarter meant the Stamps started their subsequent drive on the Hamilton 43-yard line. That led to a 13-yard field goal by Paredes.

"I believe it gave our whole team a spark," said Daniels. "We needed something early going against a good team like Hamilton. I think that was the play that got us rolling in the right direction."

Despite being penalized five times on their next drive, the Ticats still managed to score as Toliver caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Collaros. The 15-play, 90-yard drive took nearly seven minutes.

The Stampeders wasted little time on their next drive. Daniels hauled in a long pass from Mitchell and ran for a touchdown as time expired in the first half to put Calgary up 10-7.

Paredes accounted for all the scoring in the second quarter, booting field goals from 17 and 41 yards.

Maher pulled the Ticats within six points when he kicked a 47-yard field goal at 4:06 of the third quarter.

Mitchell led the Stamps on a 10-play, 76-yard drive that ended eight seconds into the fourth when Messam ran for a two-yard touchdown.

Grant caught a short pass from Mitchell for a two-point convert before Paredes kicked a 14-yard field goal to extend Calgary's lead to 27-10.

Toliver then hauled in a 26-yard TD pass from Collaros to cap off a five-play, 77-yard drive before the Ticats missed the two-point convert.

Hamilton pulled within three points at 14:13 of the fourth as Collaros engineered a seven-play, 71-yard drive that culminated in a five-yard TD pass to Tasker. The Ticats got the two-point convert when Collaros completed a pass to Tasker in the end zone.

Paredes rounded out the scoring with a 45-yard field goal with 32 seconds left in the game.

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Stampeders hold off Tiger-Cats for 6th-straight win

Ariya Jutanugarn takes Canadian Pacific Women's Open

Ariya Jutanugarn ran away with the Canadian Pacific Women's Open on Sunday at chilly Priddis Greens outside Calgary for her LPGA Tour-leading fifth victory of the year.

Nine days after withdrawing from the Rio Olympics because of a left knee injury, the 20-year-old Thai player shot a 6-under 66 for a four-stroke victory.

In the Winner’s Circle with Ariya @Jutanugarn @cpwomensopen http://pic.twitter.com/P9XhoK1Hkr

— @LPGA

---

"I felt like I wanted to have fun and be happy on the course," Jutanugarn said. "No matter what's going to happen, I can handle it...I feel really happy with myself right now."

South Korea's Sei Young Kim, a two-time winner this year, was second after a 65.

After a late meltdown cost Jutanugarn her first LPGA Tour victory in April in the major ANA Inspiration, she broke through in May with three straight victories. She won the Women's British Open in the event before the Olympics, and made it two in a row on the tour Sunday in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies.

Blasting 2-iron and 3-wood off the driving holes on the tree-lined course, the long-hitting Jutanugarn birdied the par-5 seventh and par-3 eighth to get to 19 under, then pulled away with birdies on the par-5 12th, par-4 14th, par-3 15th and par-5 18th.

"My tee shots [have been] pretty good all week," Jutanugarn said. "My irons getting a lot better in the last week or so."

South Korea's In Gee Chun, the 2015 U.S. Women's Open champion, was third at 18 under after a 69.

Canada's Sharp finishes career-best 4th, Henderson tied for 14th

Canada's Alena Sharp had the best result of her LPGA Tour career, birdieing the final two holes for a 67 to finish fourth at 16 under.

Australia's Karrie Webb (64) and Sweden's Anna Nordqvist (68) tied for fifth at 15 under. Webb won the 1999 du Maurier Classic, the then-major championship that folded because of Canada's restrictions on tobacco promotions, at Priddis Greens. She was second behind Suzann Pettersen at the course in 2009.

Three-time champion Ko had a 69 to tie for seventh at 13 under.

"I was a little far away going into today," Ko said. "But it's been a great week. I played solid all week, and there's a lot of positives to take from this week."

She won three of the previous four years, the first two as an amateur. The 19-year-old New Zealander is No. 1 in the world and has four LPGA Tour victories this season.

Canadian star Brooke Henderson shot a 69 to tie for 14th at 11 under. The 18-year-old from Smith Falls, Ontario, is already thinking about next year's tournament at Ottawa Hunt.

"Next year in Ottawa is going to be amazing," Henderson said. "We recently became members at the Ottawa Hunt, so it's my home golf course. It's only 45 minutes from my house. Lots of family and friends are already asking for tickets to come down and watch. I'm just really looking forward to it."

She also will play in her home province next week in the Manulife LPGA Classic in Cambridge. Henderson beat Ko in a playoff in June in the KPMG Women's PGA Championship for her first major title, and successfully defended her Cambia Portland Classic title last month.

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Ariya Jutanugarn takes Canadian Pacific Women's Open