Fabio Jakobsen sprinted to victory a year after he was in a medically induced coma and Rein Taaramae picked himself up following a late crash on stage four of the Vuelta a Espana to retain the red jersey.
Jakobsen suffered life-threatening injuries in a high-speed smash on the opening stage of the Tour of Poland last year but has made an incredible recovery.
The Deceuninck-Quick Step rider showed great power and speed to take the stage win in Molina de Aragon ahead of Arnaud Demare (Groupama-FDJ), with Magnus Cort (EF Education Nippo) crossing the line in third place.
Dutchman Jakobsen left it late to dart inside Demare for a magnificent victory in an uphill finish at the end of a 163.9 kilometre route from El Burgo de Osma.
Michael Matthews had talked up his chances of winning the stage, but the Australian could not get a clear run and had to settle for fifth place behind Alberto Dainese.
Taaramae was rocked when he went down as the pace was stepped up near the end, yet he remains the race leader by a margin of 25 seconds over Kenny Elissonde as he crashed in the final 3km.
Carlos Canal, Angel Madrazo and Joan Bou spent much the stage at the front after breaking away from the start, but they were caught with 13km to go
Jakobsen said: "It's a dream come true. After the crash, I was a long way back, but I'm happy I'm here.
"A lot of time and effort has gone into this by a lot of people, and it's also their victory. I'm talking about all the doctors and surgeons and medical staff in Poland, through to my second family here with the team, and everything in between.
"It's also their victory. It's also my family's victory because they're the reason I'm here."
STAGE RESULT
1. Fabio Jakobsen (Deceuninck-Quick) 03:43:07
2. Arnaud Demare (Groupama-FDJ) same time
3. Magnus Cort (EF Education Nippo) same time
4. Alberto Dainese (Team DSM) same time
5. Michael Matthews (Team BikeExchange) same time
CLASSIFICATION STANDINGS
General Classification
1. Rein Taaramae (Intermarche-Wanty-Gobert) 13:08:51
2. Kenny Elissonde (Trek–Segafredo) +0:25
3. Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) +0:30
Points Classification
1. Fabio Jakobsen (Deceuninck-QuickStep) 100
2. Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Fenix) 68
3. Alex Aranburu (Astana-Premier Tech) 50
King of the Mountains
1. Rein Taaramae (Intermarche-Wanty-Gobert) 10
2. Kenny Elissonde (Trek–Segafredo) 7
3. Joe Dombrowski (UAE Team Emirates) 6
What's next?
A flat 184.4km stage five from Tarancon to Albacete is likely to end with another sprint finish unless high winds are a major factor.
Joel Embiid will sign a four-year, $196million supermax extension with the Philadelphia 76ers following his near-MVP efforts in 2020-21.
Widespread reports detailed the deal on Tuesday, which rewards an outstanding season for the All-Star center.
Embiid became eligible for the extension after finishing second in the MVP voting and making the All-NBA Second Team.
But for injury, the big man might have scooped the top award, for which he was the favourite until a knee problem in March.
The 76ers were only 10-11 without Embiid, but their 39-12 record with their outstanding star on the floor was enough to finish first in the Eastern Conference.
Embiid's 28.5 points per game were a career high and ranked fourth in the NBA despite the ongoing knee issue – a torn meniscus, which he played with into the postseason – limiting the former third overall pick to 31.1 minutes.
Per 75 possessions, his 32.9 points led the league, boosted by improvement in field-goal percentage (51.3), three-point percentage (37.7) and accuracy from the foul line (85.9 per cent).
Embiid's new deal, which runs through the 2026-27 season, reportedly includes a player option for the final year, although the Sixers do not have the same protection in case of further injuries.
Embiid is yet to play more than 64 games in a regular season in the NBA, with the start to his career delayed by two years due to foot surgery.
Stefanos Tsitsipas has indicated he will only get the COVID-19 vaccine if it becomes mandatory to participate on the ATP Tour.
World number three Tsitsipas revealed he has not yet been jabbed against coronavirus with the tennis world divided on the issue.
The ATP Tour have publicly encouraged players to get vaccinated, but Novak Djokovic is among the high-profile players to have stated it should not be compulsory to compete.
When asked ahead of the Western and Southern Open if he would get the vaccine, Tsitsipas told a media conference he still had reservations.
"No one has told me anything. No one has made it a mandatory thing to be vaccinated," the Greek said.
"At some point I may have to, I'm pretty sure about it, but so far it hasn't been mandatory to compete, so I haven't done it, no."
Tsitsipas received a bye through to the second round in Cincinnati, where he will play either Sebastian Korda or Laslo Dere.
The 23-year-old, who has a tour-high 45 wins this season, climbed up to third in the world rankings last week and boldly targeted overhauling Djokovic in top spot.
"The rankings are there for a reason. They signify something important," he added.
"I think that the very next step would be the number one spot, which I hope I can get to one day.”
Kris Bryant hit two home runs and Brandon Crawford was perfect at the plate as the San Francisco Giants defeated the New York Mets 7-5 in MLB action Monday.
Bryant's two-run drive in the fifth inning gave the Mets a 4-3 lead and he helped expand it in the seventh, following Brandon Belt's solo shot by homering on the next pitch.
Crawford drove in the final San Francisco run with a triple later than inning, capping a four-for-four night.
Whle the Giants improved to an MLB-best 77-42, the Mets (59-59) dropped the fourth in a row after being swept in Los Angeles by the Dodgers over the weekend.
Cole beats Angels in return
A pair of first-inning home runs accounted for all the scoring as the New York Yankees defeated the Los Angeles Angels 2-1, with Joey Gallo's two-run shot trumping Justin Upton's solo homer. The latter was the only blemish for Yankees ace Gerrit Cole as made his first start in more than weeks thanks to a stint on the COVID-19 injured list. Cole allowed just one other hit and struck out nine in 5.2 innings.
After Trent Grisham's three-run homer in the top of the ninth inning tied the game for the San Diego Padres, the Colorado Rockies walked off 6-5 winners on a homer in the bottom of the inning from C.J. Cron.
The Chicago White Sox expanded their division lead to an MLB-high 11 games with a 5-2 home win against the Oakland Athletics as Luis Robert homered and Seby Zavala drove in a pair of runs.
After a two-homer game Sunday, Max Muncy's eighth-inning solo shot gave the Los Angeles Dodgers their winning margin in a 2-1 triumph over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Freddie Freeman and Adam Duvall homered while Ozzie Albies drove in three more runs as the Atlanta Braves routed the Miami Marlins 12-2 to extend their lead in the National League East to 1.5 games.
Jorge Polanco had his second walk-off hit in as many games for Minnesota, with his 10th-inning RBI double giving the Twins a 5-4 victory over the Cleveland Indians a day after his sacrifice fly in the ninth beat the Tampa Bay Rays. The last Twins player to produce walk-off wins in successive games was Jacque Jones in July 2005.
Sparse crowd in St. Pete
The Rays (72-47) have the best record in the American League, but the official attendance at Tropicana Field for Monday's 9-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles was the lowest in franchise history for a game not affected by coronavirus-related capacity restrictions. The loss was the 12th in a row for the Orioles, who have the worst record in the AL at 38-79.
Votto collects 2,000th hit
At age 37, Joey Votto's impressive 2021 season produced another milestone as he collected his 2,000th career hit in Cincinnati's 14-5 demoltion of the Chicago Cubs. He is the 35th player in MLB history to reach 2,000 hits and 300 home runs with one franchise, and the second Reds player to do it, joining Hall of Famer Johnny Bench.
Monday's results
New York Yankees 2-1 Los Angeles Angels
Cincinnati Reds 14-5 Chicago Cubs
Tampa Bay Rays 9-2 Baltimore Orioles
Atlanta Braves 12-2 Miami Marlins
Kansas City Royals 7-6 Houston Astros
Minnesota Twins 5-4 Cleveland Indians
Chicago White Sox 6-2 Oakland Athletics
Colorado Rockies 6-5 San Diego Padres
San Francisco Giants 7-5 New York Mets
Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 Pittsburgh Pirates
Red Sox at Yankees
Eternal rivals the Boston Red Sox (69-51) and New York Yankees (66-52) will play a doubleheader in the Bronx as both teams chase Tampa Bay in the American League East.
Petra Kvitova was one of a handful of seeded players to take the court at the Western and Southern Open on Monday and came away victorious against a past champion of the event.
The 11th-seeded Kvitova defeated 2019 Western and Southern winner Madison Keys 7-5 6-4 on a rain-plagued opening day of main-draw play at the tournament outside Cincinnati, Ohio.
The Czech saved eight of nine break points against her serve while breaking Keys three times, and that was enough to pull out the victory.
Kvitova's countrywoman Barbora Krejcikova, the ninth seed, made her singles debut at the WTA 1000 event with a 6-3 6-2 rout of Daria Kasatkina.
Fifteenth seed Elise Mertens also was a straight-sets winner, taking down Nadia Podoroska 6-3 6-4, while 13th seed Jennifer Brady defeated Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-3 7-6 (7-3) in a match that finished shortly before 1 a.m. local time.
Though only Krejcikova was in action Monday, the field in Cincinnati includes nine of the top 10 players in the rankings, led by Ashleigh Barty and Naomi Osaka in their first appearances since the Tokyo Olympics.
In other matches on the first day of play, Heather Watson defeated Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-2 3-6 6-1, while Paula Badosa outlasted Petra Martic 4-6 6-4 7-6 (11-9) in a two-hour, 34-minute marathon.
Yulia Putintseva breezed past Zhang Shuai 6-2 6-0, Jelena Ostapenko beat Tamara Zidansek 7-5 6-1 and Jil Teichmann downed Sorana Cirstea 6-2 6-0.
Angelique Kerber beat Maria Sakkari 6-2 6-2, with Alison Riske matching that scoreline in a defeat of Leylah Fernandez.
Shelby Rogers won 6-4 2-1 when her countrywoman Danielle Collins retired with an injury.
Andy Murray looked sharp in his first singles match since Wimbledon, rolling to a straight-sets win over Richard Gasquet at the Western and Southern Open.
Murray defeated the veteran Frenchman 6-4 6-4 on a rainy opening day in Cincinnati, capitalising on a strong service game to advance.
Murray had 14 aces to just two double faults and won 81 per cent of points on his first serve while saving four of the five break points he faced.
A two-time champion at the ATP 1000 event, he will face the winner of Tuesday's match between Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and ninth seed Hubert Hurkacz in the second round.
Two players who shared a birthday Monday also prevailed on their big day.
On the day he turned 20, 11th seed Jannik Sinner defeated Federico Delbonis 6-2 7-5, while 10th seed Diego Schwartzman had to work a bit harder on his 28th birthday to down Daneil Evans 6-2 4-6 6-3.
Elsewhere, 12th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime beat Marton Fucsovics 7-6 (7-0) 6-3, while 14th seed Alex de Minaur rallied to down Filip Krajinovic 0-6 6-4 6-4.
Fifteenth seed David Goffin fell 6-3 6-3 to Guido Pella in the only seeded upset of the day.
Other winners Monday included Karen Khachanov, Fabio Fognini, Lloyd Harris, Dominik Koepfer, Benoit Paire, Albert Ramos Vinolas and Mackenzie McDonald.
Among those set to play their opening matches Tuesday are third seed Alexander Zverev, who will face Harris, and sixth seed Denis Shapovalov, who plays Paire.
Marcus Smart and the Boston Celtics have agreed to a maximum-value four-year contract extension.
Smart will make $77million in the deal, which begins with the 2022-23 NBA season, according to reports by ESPN and The Athletic.
Smart posted a video of highlights from his Celtics career on his Instagram page Monday with the comment "Let's go 4 more..."
The 27-year-old has spent his entire seven-year NBA career with the Celtics after they selected him with the sixth overall pick in the 2014 draft.
He averaged a career-best 13.1 points and 5.7 assists per game last season.
Smart is set to make $14.3m next season, the last in his existing deal.
Naomi Osaka was reduced to tears on Monday in her first WTA Tour news conference since snubbing the media at the French Open.
Osaka withdrew from the second grand slam of the year at Roland Garros almost three months ago after declaring she would not fulfil press conference duties during the tournament.
The four-time major champion cited mental health concerns for reaching that decision and skipped Wimbledon before returning to action at the Tokyo Olympics on home soil.
Osaka, who revealed in Paris she had suffered "long bouts of depression" since winning the US Open in 2018, agreed to speak to the press as she prepares return to the WTA Tour at the Western and Southern in Cincinnati this week.
The world number two was emotional after being asked how she benefits from a high-media profile but does not like talking to media.
Osaka answered the question from the journalist, but the video call was paused as she cried before later resuming the press conference.
She said before pausing: "That's interesting: I would say the occasion, when to do the press conferences is what I feel is the most difficult.
"I'm actually very interested in that point of view. For me I feel this is something I can't really speak for everybody, I can only speak for myself.
"But ever since I was younger, I've had a lot of media interest on me, and I think it's because of my background as well as how I play.
"Because in the first place I'm a tennis player, which is why a lot of people are interested in me. So I would say in that regard I'm quite different to a lot of people, and I can't really help that there are some things I tweet or say that create a lot of news articles or things like that.
"But I would also say, I'm not really sure how to balance it too, I'm figuring it out at the same time as you are, I would say."
Osaka then broke down while the next question was being put to her, but was able to continue.
The 23-year-old was given a first-round bye in what will be her first WTA tournament since the French Open.
Sean Morris and Dr Mark Newnham will defend Francis & Steele Perkins Trophy in Florida in October following their comprehensive victory in the Jamaica Golf Association's (JGA) Four-Ball Trials at Caymanas Golf Club on the weekend.
Americas Netball (AN) in its continued drive to educate all its member associations on issues of governance in the sport of netball, launched the second in a series of governance webinars on Saturday, August 14 via a Zoom conference.
Marva Bernard OD, President of Americas Netball and a Director of World Netball and recently appointed Ambassador of Teamwork by World Netball, in delivering her opening comments opined that “A sport organization needs leadership. The dynamic environment in which an organization operates requires sports leaders, and potential leaders to be constantly learning and retooling themselves”.
The webinars are one such tool that Americas Netball utilizes to keep its members abreast of policies, procedures and regulations in the sport of netball. She added that this year AN would partner fully with the University of the West Indies Faculty of Sport to plan the course content.
The next session is set for August 21 with the ensuing sessions to be held two Saturdays each month for the next three months culminating in November, will focus on administrative procedures and guidelines, fulfilling reporting requirements, team and stakeholder management as well as communication planning.
Other topics of focus will be Strategic planning, policy alignment and implementation, operational planning, implementing a business model, revenue generation, organizational restructuring, business plan models, governance during crises, emergency management and business planning.
Fraser McConnell credits teamwork for him being able to finish second overall in the SuperCar category of the RallyX Nordic that concluded in Arvika, Sweden on Sunday.
Cronulla Sharks' Andrew Fifita was placed into a medically induced coma after sustaining a serious throat injury on Sunday, with his brother David thanking the NRL for their support.
Fifita was taken off 39 minutes into Sunday's game against Newcastle Knights in Brisbane and the Sharks later confirmed he suffered a fractured larynx
Approximately 20 minutes after full time, the 32-year-old was brought out of the changing rooms and onto the field, where he was examined by paramedics and transferred to hospital in an ambulance.
A statement from the Sharks read: "In updating the condition of Andrew Fifita, after conferring with specialists today at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, the Sharks can inform that Andrew has suffered a laryngeal fracture and is currently in an induced coma.
"Andrew is in a stable condition, with a surgical correction scheduled to take place tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon.
"He is receiving the best possible care and all going well, it is expected he will recover in hospital for an extended period.
On Monday, Andrew's twin brother David – who plays for Super League side Wakefield Trinity – thanked fans for their support and concern but asked for privacy for his family.
"On behalf of the Fifita family, I would like to thank everyone for their support, concern and kind words during this difficult time that we face," he wrote on Twitter.
"As a family we ask everyone to please respect our privacy and allow Andrew and the family space to heal and recover.
"In saying this I would like to thank Cronulla Sharks and the NRL for helping support our family in Queensland through this time."
Toutai Kefu is in a serious but stable condition in hospital after the Tonga coach and former Australia player was wounded during a burglary at his home.
Kefu and three members of his household were taken to hospital following an incident in the Coorparoo area of Brisbane that was reported to police at around 03:00 local time on Monday.
A man in his forties was confirmed to have suffered "serious injuries" after a violent altercation.
Two 15-year-old males have been arrested in relation to the incident, with Queensland Police confirming Kefu's wife, son and daughter were also receiving treatment for knife wounds at Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital. A third alleged suspect is said to be unaccounted for.
"His initial condition was described as critical, but expected to survive," detective superintendent Tony Fleming told reporters on Monday.
"Mr Kefu is out of surgery and is stable now.
"His son is still receiving treatment as I understand and there's more treatment for Mrs Kefu and their daughter that will continue tomorrow.
"The mother has suffered very, very serious lacerations to her arm and I'm told her wounds are very significant."
Support for Kefu, who played 60 Tests for Australia, and his family poured in from across the world of rugby.
Superintendent Fleming stated that the family was awoken by noises in the house, with Kefu going to investigate.
"That person was accosted by at least one of the offenders in the premises and threatened to be stabbed if they didn’t hand over vehicle keys," Fleming said.
"Other members of the family came to that person's aid and during this time very significant injuries occurred to the family."
Kefu is Australia's most capped number eight of all time and helped the Wallabies win the 1999 World Cup. He coached Tonga at the 2019 tournament in Japan and was reappointed to the role earlier in 2021.
"Thoughts and prayers are with my Tongan brother Toutai Kefu and his family," former cross-code New Zealand star Sonny Bill Williams wrote on Twitter, while the Wallabies tweeted: "You got this great man!! All our love and thoughts to you and the entire Kefu family!"
Fernando Tatis Jr. continued where he left off before injury as the returning San Diego Padres star hit a pair of home runs in Sunday's 8-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Tatis had been on the injured list since July 31 due to a partially dislocated left shoulder, however, the MLB All-Star made his comeback against the Diamondbacks.
The 22-year-old – playing in right field for the first time in his professional career – slugged his 32nd and 33rd homers of the season to help the Padres avoid a four-game sweep.
Tatis finished four-for-five with four RBIs and three runs scored as the Padres maintained their lead in the race for the second National League (NL) Wild Card spot, two and a half games clear of the Cincinnati Reds.
"Just make them remember why they miss you," said Tatis, who homered in the third and fifth innings. "I feel like that's what it is. The hunger of being outside and not doing anything for my team for so long, I really felt bad. So, coming back, you bring your 100 per cent, take a chill and do what you know what to do."
McKenzie flirts with perfect game
Cleveland Indians pitcher Triston McKenzie stared at history in the team's 11-0 shutout of the Detroit Tigers. McKenzie was four outs away from perfection, retiring the first 23 Detroit batters in order. He lost the perfect game in the eighth inning. Not since 1981 have the Indians recorded a no-hit performance from one of their pitchers.
Texas Rangers rookie DJ Peters hit a pair of two-run homers in a 7-4 win at home to the Oakland Athletics.
The New York Yankees topped the Chicago White Sox 5-3 behind two-run homers via Rougned Odor and Luke Voit.
Slumping Cubs reeling
The Chicago Cubs suffered their 11th consecutive defeat following a 4-1 loss to the Miami Marlins. There have now been eight different losing streaks of 11-plus games this season according to Stats Perform – Cubs (twice), Baltimore Orioles (twice), Diamondbacks (twice), Rangers and Kansas City Royals. It is the most such losing streaks in a season since 1899. It is also the first time three different teams had multiple losing streaks of 11-plus games in a season.
Muncy crushes Mets
Max Muncy showed no mercy in the Los Angeles Dodgers' 14-4 victory against the New York Mets. He hit two homers, including this two-run dinger in the sixth inning.
Sunday's results
Milwaukee Brewers 2-1 Pittsburgh Pirates
Atlanta Braves 6-5 Washington Nationals
Cincinnati Reds 7-4 Philadelphia Phillies
Boston Red Sox 6-2 Baltimore Orioles
Miami Marlins 4-1 Chicago Cubs
Cleveland Indians 11-0 Detroit Tigers
New York Yankees 5-3 Chicago White Sox
Minnesota Twins 5-4 Tampa Bay Rays
Texas Rangers 7-4 Oakland Athletics
St Louis Cardinals 7-2 Kansas City Royals
San Francisco Giants 5-2 Colorado Rockies
Los Angeles Angels 3-1 Houston Astros
San Diego Padres 8-2 Arizona Diamondbacks
Toronto Blue Jays 8-3 Seattle Mariners
Los Angeles Dodgers 14-4 New York Mets
Angels at Yankees
Gerrit Cole will make his return to the mound following a stint on the COVID-19 injured list when the Yankees (65-52) host the Angels (59-60) on Monday. Jose Suarez starts for the Angels in the make-up game from July 1.
New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole will start Monday's MLB clash against the Los Angeles Angels after recovering from coronavirus.
Cole landed on the COVID-19 injured list following a positive test on August 3, having not pitched since the Yankees' showdown with the Tampa Bay Rays on July 29.
But the four-time All-Star will take to the mound against the Angels.
"I'm feeling good, ready to go," Cole said on Sunday. "I'm very much looking forward to it.
"I don't think we'll push the limits by any means because the recovery will be important, but I'm ready to pitch."
In 2021, Cole has a 3.11 ERA through 21 games, with 176 strikeouts and a 10-6 win-loss record.
Cole is tied for fourth this season in shutouts, only behind Anthony DeSclafani of the San Francisco Giants, Oakland Athletics star Sean Manaea and Philadelphia Phillies ace Zack Wheeler.
Only Wheeler (187) has managed more strikeouts than Cole this season.
The Yankees (65-52) are third in the American League (AL) East, behind the high-flying Rays (71-47) and Boston Red Sox (69-51), while they are two and a half games adrift in the Wild Card race.
"I think we've done a really great job," Cole said. "We're playing good baseball, but we still feel like we can play just a little bit better.
"Now we're just looking for the final piece to push it over the edge and really get white-hot here."
Daniil Medvedev lived up to his top-seed billing by overcoming Reilly Opelka in straight sets in the National Bank Open final.
World number two Medvedev prevailed 6-4 6-3 in Toronto on Sunday as he became the first Russian to win the ATP tournament since Marat Safin in 2000.
Medvedev now holds four of the nine ATP Masters 1000 titles, having also previously come out on top in Cincinnati, Shanghai and Paris.
He saved all four break points faced against unseeded Opelka, who stunned Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semi-finals, and needed just 85 minutes to complete the job.
Reflecting on his latest tour triumph, Medvedev said: "I could not have dreamt of this at one point.
"With Novak [Djokovic] and Rafael [Nadal] playing, it seemed like an untouchable achievement. Now I have four wins in five finals, which is a good score. I am just happy.
"Playing Canada and Cincinnati, the goal is to win as many matches as possible. I was able to do it two years ago and I will try and do it again."
Opelka was competing in his maiden final at this level and started strongly, racing 40-0 ahead in the fourth game with some powerful hitting.
However, the 23-year-old – the first American to reach the final since Mardy Fish in 2011 – could not break his opponent as Medvedev recovered with some impressive serving to take the game.
Medvedev earned the first break in the following game and comfortably held to take the first set.
The Russian forced Opelka into errors in the second set and reeled off nine points in a row en route to breaking his opponent in the third game.
It was plain sailing from that point on as two-time beaten grand slam finalist Medvedev eased over the line to add another trophy to his collection.
Unseeded Camila Giorgi again surprised Karolina Pliskova as she earned a straight-sets win in Sunday's National Bank Open final to claim the third singles title of her career.
The world number 71 defeated Pliskova at the Viking International and the Tokyo Olympics in the past three months and prevailed 6-3 7-5 in their latest meeting in Montreal.
Giorgi, who had never previously won a trophy above 250 level or on outdoor hard courts, has now triumphed in 16 of her last 20 matches in an impressive 2021 campaign.
She lost just one set all week and will move back into the world's top 35 for the first time since May 2019 with this first tournament victory since the Linz Open in October 2018.
Fourth seed Pliskova eliminated favourite Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals but could not replicate that performance as she fell at the final hurdle in a tournament for the third time this year.
Giorgi broke the former world number one for the first time in a lengthy fifth game and took the first set when Pliskova double faulted and sent a forehand wide in the final game.
Pliskova double faulted six times across the match, which lasted one hour and 40 minutes, including in the fourth game of the second set to put her opponent in complete control.
The Czech was given hope when earning her first break of serve in the following game, but she was let down by some forehand errors in the 12th game and Giorgi took her second championship point to seal an emotional win.
Roger Federer will not take part in the upcoming US Open after the 20-time grand slam winner announced he is to undergo knee surgery that will rule him out for "many months".
The 40-year-old has not been in action since losing to Hubert Hurkacz in a Wimbledon quarter-final in July and has completed only five events this year.
Federer underwent two operations on his right knee in 2020 and requires another procedure that the legendary Swiss hopes will give him a chance to return to the court.
"I just wanted to give you a bit of an update on what's been going on since Wimbledon," Federer, who won the most recent of his five titles at Flushing Meadows in 2008, posted in a video message on his Instagram page on Sunday.
"As you can imagine, it's not been simple. I've been doing a lot of checks with the doctors as well on my knee, getting all the information as I hurt myself further during the grass-court season and Wimbledon.
"That's just not the way to go forward, so unfortunately they told me for the medium to long term to feel better, I will need surgery. I decided to do it.
"I'll be on crutches for many weeks and also out of the game for many months, so it's going to be difficult of course in some ways.
"But at the same time I know it's the right thing to do because I want to be healthy, I want to be running around later as well again and I want to give myself a glimmer of hope to return to the tour in some shape or form."
Federer, now ranked number nine in the world, missed more than a year of action after first having his knee operated on shortly after the 2020 Australian Open.
"I am realistic, don't get me wrong," he said. "I know how difficult it is at this age right now to do another surgery and try it.
"But I want to be healthy, I will go through the rehab process I think also with a goal while I'm still active, which I think is going to help me during this long period of time."
Federer added: "Also a big thank you already now for all of your messages that are going to be coming in because you guys are always incredible.
"You always think of me. Some of you suffer with me. I'll update you as I move along with my rehab. I wish you all the best and I'll check in with you soon."
The US Open in New York begins on August 30, with Dominic Thiem looking to retain his title.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
