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Bianca Andreescu, 19, wins Rogers Cup after Serena Williams retires

By Connor Grott
American Serena Williams was down 3-1 in the first set when she called for a medical timeout. File Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI
American Serena Williams was down 3-1 in the first set when she called for a medical timeout. File Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI | License Photo

Aug. 11 (UPI) -- Bianca Andreescu became the first Canadian player to win the Rogers Cup in 50 years Sunday after an upper back injury forced American star Serena Williams to retire.

Andreescu held a 3-1 advantage in the first set when Williams called for a medical timeout. Shortly later, the chair umpire announced that Williams was retiring from the match.

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The Rogers Cup final lasted only 16 minutes before Williams retired. It marked Andreescu's second WTA Premier title of the season.

"This isn't the way I expected to win or for [Serena] to go off the court, but [Serena] is truly a champion on and off the court," Andreescu told reporters. "I'm speechless. I'm the first Canadian to win here since 1969. It's a dream come true. I've had many, many tough matches, [but] I kept telling myself, 'Never give up.' I tried to look at it all as a challenge and not a setback."

After Williams' retirement, the former world No. 1 player began to cry on her bench. Andreescu walked over and comforted the 23-time Grand Slam winner.

"I'm sorry I couldn't do it today," Williams said on the court. "I tried, but I couldn't. Bianca, you're a great sportswoman. It's been a tough year but I'm going to keep going."

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Andreescu's run in the Rogers Cup included three-set wins over Genie Bouchard, Karolina Pliskova, Kiki Bertens and Daria Kasatkina. The 19-year-old Canadian also defeated Sofia Kenin in two sets during the semi-final.

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