National Sports

GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Canada's Bianca Andreescu cruised her way to a 6-2, 6-4 opening-round win over Jil Teichmann of Spain at the WTA 1000 Guadalajara Open on Monday. The Mississauga, Ont.

MONTREAL — The Montreal Canadiens will have a lot of growing pains this season retooling with a young squad. However, the Habs found a way Monday night to please their fans by maintaining an undefeated home record through their first two NHL games.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Alex Ovechkin and Washington's best players got going just in time to put together their best period of the season and avoid what would have been the Capitals' worst four-game start in nearly a decade.

If Hockey Canada is going to truly change its culture then it must break from its old governance processes, say three experts.

OTTAWA — American receiver Jaelon Acklin was a full participant in practice Monday for the Ottawa Redblacks. Acklin missed Ottawa's 34-30 home loss to the Montreal Alouettes on Friday night with head/shoulder issues.

PARIS (AP) — Karim Benzema won the men’s Ballon d’Or for the first time on Monday after a brilliant season with Real Madrid capped by the Champions League and Spanish league titles.

Toronto FC has taken MLS pay to new heights with Italian star Lorenzo Insigne making US$14 million annually, according to new figures released by the Major League Soccer Players Association.

TORONTO — The rebuilding Toronto Raptors were a revelation last season.

Five teams have clinched CFL playoff berths but only Zach Collaros and the Grey Cup-champion Winnipeg Blue Bombers know when and where they'll be once the postseason begins. Winnipeg (league-best 14-3 record) has cemented first in the West Division.

NEWPORT, R.I.