National Sports

SAN DIEGO — If Bianca Andreescu needed a spark to ignite her return to tennis's top tier, she might have found it Monday night after knocking off Russian Liudmila Samsonova in the WTA San Diego Open. The 22-year-old from Mississauga, Ont.

GATINEAU, Que. — The Gatineau Olympiques were unlucky at the start of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, losing a couple games in overtime and not connecting on great scoring chances. It appears their fortunes have improved.

WINDSOR, Ont. — A power-play goal by Alex Christopoulos 3:19 into overtime gave the Windsor Spitfires a 3-2 Ontario Hockey League victory over the visiting Soo Greyhounds on Monday.

CALGARY — The Brandon Wheat Kings gave extra thanks to netminder Carson Bjarnason on Monday after he stopped 41 of 43 shots to help his Manitoba squad defeat the host Calgary Hitmen 3-2 in Western Hockey League action.

MONTREAL — Ottawa Redblacks interim head coach Bob Dyce hadn't enjoyed being the one in the spotlight in the leadup to Thanksgiving Monday.

After guiding the Philadelphia Phillies to their first playoff series victory since 2010, manager Rob Thomson had the interim removed from his title Monday.

Two former champions await Canada at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in India with 2012 winner France first up Wednesday. The young Canadians then take on 2014 champion Japan on Saturday, also in Goa, before wrapping up Group D play Oct.

ZURICH (AP) — Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro and Dubai Harbour in the United Arab Emirates are among six locations worldwide that stage fan festivals during the World Cup in Qatar.

JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, Spain — Despite missing captain Christine Sinclair and other veterans through injury, Canada coach Bev Priestman got two wins and some young players putting up their hands in the October FIFA international window.

MIES, Switzerland — Canada's women's basketball team dropped one spot to fifth in the FIBA world rankings, despite a fourth-place finish at the recent World Cup in Australia. China leapfrogged Canada, climbing five spots to No.