A Record-Breaking Victory

The Canadian women’s 3×3 basketball team captured its third FIBA Women’s Series Final title on Sunday in Shanghai, defeating Azerbaijan 21-12 in a dominant performance. The win solidifies Canada as the most successful nation in the competition’s history.

Key Performers on the Court

Paige Crozon of Humboldt, Sask., led the team with nine points, hitting all three of her two-point attempts. Cassandra Brown of Vernon, B.C., added six points, including the game-clinching basket. Katherine Plouffe of Edmonton pulled down five rebounds to go with three points, while Hamilton’s Saicha Grant-Allen anchored Canada’s defense.

The Championship Matchup

Canada stormed to an early 10-2 lead behind accurate outside shooting, forcing Azerbaijan into difficult defensive adjustments. Despite strong efforts from Alexandra Mollenhauer and Brianna Fraser, Azerbaijan could not close the gap, as Canada’s balanced attack and defensive control sealed the title.

Road to the Final

The Canadians advanced to the semifinals after winning two of three pool games, including victories over Azerbaijan and the Netherlands’ under-25 team. In the semifinal, Canada cruised past Spain with a 21-11 win to book their spot in the final showdown.

Why the Win Matters

This triumph marks Canada’s third championship after back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023. Following a third-place finish in 2024, the victory reasserts the team’s dominance on the global 3×3 stage and highlights the depth of Canadian women’s basketball talent.

What’s Next for Team Canada

The victory provides momentum heading into the next international cycle, with eyes already on the 2026 season and Olympic qualification pathways. For players like Crozon and Plouffe, the win also cements their status as leaders in the fast-growing 3×3 format, which continues to gain recognition worldwide.

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A Delayed Start in New York

The U.S. Open men’s singles final in Flushing Meadows, New York, began 30 minutes later than scheduled on Sunday after heightened security measures were put in place for the arrival of U.S. President Donald Trump.

How the Crowd Responded

Trump, stepping into a box seat at Arthur Ashe Stadium, was met with a mix of cheers and boos. Broadcasters avoided airing crowd reactions, with the U.S. Tennis Association asking networks not to showcase disruptions outside of play.

Security Measures Implemented

Tournament organizers announced shortly before the scheduled 2 p.m. ET start that security screenings would extend entry times for fans. The match between Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz and Italy’s Jannik Sinner eventually started at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Why Trump’s Presence Stood Out

Trump, a Republican president and outspoken sports enthusiast, has often used high-profile athletic events to reinforce his public image. His visit to the U.S. Open followed previous appearances at the Super Bowl and Ultimate Fighting Championship events earlier this year.

Recent Political Context

The appearance comes as Trump faces ongoing political and public scrutiny. His administration has introduced controversial policies on sports participation, including restricting transgender athletes, and has weighed in on team naming debates, such as urging the Washington Commanders to revert to their former name.

Public Reaction at the Venue

Fans at the stadium expressed divided opinions. Some, like Dave, a banker from New York City, voiced disapproval, citing Trump’s legal troubles. Others, including visiting fan Karen Stark from Michigan, defended his right to attend, emphasizing that sports events remain open to all.

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Canadian Star Knocked Out in New York

Félix Auger-Aliassime’s impressive run at the U.S. Open ended Friday night as the Canadian fell in four sets to world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in a semifinal clash at Flushing Meadows. The 25-year-old from Montreal had been seeking his first-ever Grand Slam final but was stopped by one of tennis’s most dominant forces.

Match Highlights and Turning Points

The contest began with Sinner in full control, taking the first set 6–1. Auger-Aliassime roared back in the second, breaking Sinner’s long service streak and clinching the set with a 117 mph ace. However, the Italian regrouped after a medical timeout, raising his level to secure the final two sets 6–3, 6–4. Despite saving nine of ten break points, Auger-Aliassime could not hold off Sinner’s relentless pressure.

Road to the Semifinal

Auger-Aliassime’s semifinal berth was hard-earned. Along the way, he defeated three seeded players: No. 3 Alexander Zverev, No. 8 Alex de Minaur, and No. 15 Andrey Rublev. His powerful forehand and aggressive baseline play carried him through, sparking hopes of a historic final appearance for Canadian men’s tennis.

Rivalry at the Top

For Sinner, the victory extends an extraordinary stretch of consistency. The Italian has now reached his fifth consecutive Grand Slam final and is on a 27-match winning streak on hard courts. On Sunday, he will meet Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, setting up another chapter in their growing rivalry. Between them, the two young stars have claimed every major title over the past two years.

Global Spotlight and Canadian Impact

Although Auger-Aliassime’s run ended in disappointment, his performance underscored his resurgence after an uneven 2024 season. By eliminating multiple top-ranked opponents, he reinforced his position among the sport’s elite. His deep run also drew attention back home, where Canadian tennis continues to grow in prominence following the breakthroughs of players like Bianca Andreescu, Leylah Fernandez, and Denis Shapovalov.

Looking Ahead

Sinner’s bid to defend his U.S. Open crown will face its toughest test against Alcaraz, who earlier ousted 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in straight sets. For Auger-Aliassime, the focus now shifts to building on this strong showing and preparing for the upcoming indoor hard-court season, where he aims to cement his place in the ATP’s top tier.

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Canadian Star Shines in Zurich

Canadian middle-distance runner Marco Arop placed third in the men’s 800 metres at the Diamond League Final in Zurich, Switzerland, on August 28, 2025. The 26-year-old Edmonton athlete crossed the line in 1:42.57, finishing less than a metre behind Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi of Kenya and Britain’s Max Burgin.

Race Highlights and Standings

The showdown was tight from the start. Wanyonyi surged ahead to claim the victory in 1:42.37, Burgin followed at 1:42.42, and Arop closed in just behind. Despite the near-miss, the Canadian delivered one of his strongest tactical races of the season, collecting $7,000 in prize money while Wanyonyi earned $30,000.

Why This Finish Matters

Arop entered Zurich after a winless Diamond League season, but Thursday’s race marked a return to form ahead of his world title defence in Tokyo next month. His coach, Chris Woods, praised the performance, noting that “slightly better execution” could give Arop the edge over Wanyonyi, who holds the world’s fastest time this year at 1:41.44.

How the Race Played Out

Unlike earlier meets, Arop started aggressively and stayed close to the leaders through the first 400 metres. In the final straight, he attempted to overtake on the outside but was narrowly held off. Woods later identified pacing in the first 300 metres as the key tactical adjustment heading into the World Championships.

What’s Next for Arop

Following Zurich, Arop will join Team Canada at a pre-worlds training camp in Japan. He enters the World Championships as one of four Canadians defending global titles, seeking to extend his legacy as the nation’s 800m record holder. Despite a lingering toe injury, Arop reported feeling “98 per cent healthy” and ready for the challenge.

A Legacy Still Building

This podium marks Arop’s fourth career medal at a Diamond League Final, adding to his growing international résumé. While a Diamond League trophy remains elusive, his Zurich finish reinforced his consistency against the world’s best and set the stage for a compelling title defence.

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Golf Fans Gear Up for a Monumental Week

Two of golf’s most anticipated tournaments will tee off this Thursday, making it one of the biggest weeks of the year for the sport. The Canadian Women’s Open in Mississauga and the PGA Tour Championship in Atlanta will bring together the world’s top players, massive prize money, and historic opportunities.

Spotlight on the Canadian Women’s Open

For the first time in its 52-year history, the Canadian Women’s Open—currently branded as the CPKC Women’s Open—will be played at the Mississauga Golf and Country Club. The field of 156 includes the world’s top four ranked golfers, 19 LPGA Tour winners from this season, and a new rising star, 21-year-old Lottie Woad of England, who has quickly become the betting favourite.

Canadians in the Field

A total of 16 Canadians are set to compete, led by Brooke Henderson, Canada’s all-time leader in professional golf victories with 13 titles. Henderson, however, has struggled in recent seasons, with her last win dating back to January 2023. Another notable entry is Aphrodite Deng, the 15-year-old prodigy who became the first Canadian to win the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship.

International Stars Chasing Glory

World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand headlines the international contingent, joined by American Nelly Korda, New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, and Australia’s Minjee Lee, who already has a major win this year. Defending champion Lauren Coughlin will also look to repeat after securing her breakthrough victory in Calgary last year.

The PGA Tour’s $40 Million Finale

South of the border, the Tour Championship at East Lake in Atlanta will close the PGA Tour season. With $40 million USD in total prize money, including $10 million for the winner, the stakes have never been higher. This year, the controversial “starting strokes” format was dropped, giving all 30 players an even chance to claim the title.

Canadians Conners and Taylor in the Hunt

Representing Canada, Corey Conners and Nick Taylor will battle against golf’s elite after securing their spots in the top 30. Both players survived the BMW Championship cut and now have an equal footing to compete with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who remains the heavy favourite.

What’s at Stake for the Game’s Biggest Names

Scheffler is chasing his second straight FedEx Cup title, which would put him alongside legends Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy as multi-time winners. Meanwhile, McIlroy enters ranked second, aiming to recapture his early-season form after winning the Masters in April.

A Defining Week for Golf

With two marquee tournaments unfolding simultaneously, Canadian fans have much to watch for—from Henderson’s chance at redemption on home soil to Conners and Taylor chasing life-changing paydays in Atlanta. Whether in Toronto or Atlanta, this week promises to deliver drama, history, and world-class golf.

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Canadian Athletes Eye Diamond League Success

Elite track and field athletes battle for Zurich Final spots
The race for the prestigious Diamond League Final is intensifying as Canada’s top track and field stars compete in Europe this week. With Zurich hosting the championship showdown on Aug. 27–28, Canadians Sarah Mitton and Marco Arop remain in the hunt for international titles and crucial momentum ahead of next month’s World Championships in Tokyo.

Shot put champion aims to defend her crown

Sarah Mitton seeks back-to-back titles
Nova Scotia’s Sarah Mitton, who won her first Diamond League trophy last year, has already secured her place in Zurich. Ranked third in the standings, she will face stiff competition from American world champion Chase Jackson and Dutch star Jessica Schilder. Mitton, who bounced back from Olympic disappointment with her 2024 Diamond League win, is determined to reaffirm her dominance.

Middle-distance star fights for qualification

Marco Arop chasing Final berth in Lausanne
Edmonton’s Marco Arop, reigning world champion in the men’s 800m, faces a must-perform race in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Wednesday. Currently sitting 10th in the standings, he needs at least a top-six finish to qualify for Zurich. His main rival remains Kenyan sensation Emmanuel Wanyonyi, who edged Arop for Olympic gold and has beaten him in recent races.

High stakes and lucrative rewards

Millions in prize money on the line
The Diamond League Final offers not only prestige but also significant financial incentives. A total of $2.24 million USD will be awarded, with event champions earning up to $50,000 each. Winners also receive automatic entry into the World Championships, raising the stakes for athletes competing in these final qualifiers.

Canadian presence beyond the spotlight

Other athletes look to break through
While Mitton and Arop headline Canada’s charge, sprinter Aaron Brown sits on the edge of qualification in the men’s 200m. Olympic medallist Andre De Grasse and pole vaulter Alysha Newman are currently outside the cutline, while hammer throw champions Camryn Rogers and Ethan Katzberg continue to dominate globally but remain excluded as their event is not part of the Diamond League program.

Countdown to Zurich and Tokyo

Final tests before the world stage
As the Lausanne and Brussels meets close out the Diamond League regular season this week, Canada’s top athletes are not only eyeing Zurich but also using these competitions as vital preparation for the World Championships in Tokyo beginning Sept. 13. Success in Europe could set the stage for Canada’s strongest performance yet on the global track and field circuit.

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Gauff and Kessler Advance to Doubles Final in Montreal

Coco Gauff will compete for a trophy at the Canadian Open on Wednesday night, this time in doubles. Despite a disappointing singles run—ending in a fourth-round loss to Canada’s Victoria Mboko—the American star has found renewed momentum alongside partner McCartney Kessler. The pair advanced to the final after a string of nail-biting wins, including a comeback semifinal victory over Olga Danilovic and Su-Wei Hsieh.

Tough Road to the Final Signals Resilience

It hasn’t been an easy path to the title match for the unseeded American duo. Gauff and Kessler have won their last three matches via final set tiebreaks, showing grit under pressure. Their semifinal win came after dropping the first set but rallying to claim the next two. A potential doubles title could restore confidence for Gauff, who’s had a tough few months following her 2025 French Open singles triumph.

Serving Struggles Plague Singles Campaign

Gauff’s singles performance in Canada raised concerns, particularly with her serve. She committed 42 double faults across three matches—an unusually high count for the 21-year-old. In contrast, her serving in doubles has been nearly flawless. “My doubles yesterday, I hit zero double faults,” Gauff told reporters. “I just would like to serve how I do in doubles in singles.”

Facing Formidable Opponents in the Final

In Wednesday’s final, Gauff and Kessler will take on third seeds Taylor Townsend and Zhang Shuai—a duo with 25 doubles titles between them, including a recent win in Washington. Gauff, already a Grand Slam doubles champion, brings experience to the court, while Kessler is in search of her first professional title. Minimizing unforced errors will be critical as they face one of the tour’s most seasoned pairs.

Partnership Formed After Pegula Split

This new partnership with Kessler emerged after Gauff ended her long-standing doubles collaboration with Jessica Pegula. Together, Gauff and Pegula had found great success, winning three WTA 1000 titles and reaching the French Open final in 2022. However, their surprise early exit at the 2024 Paris Olympics marked their last appearance as a team. Pegula later confirmed both had shifted focus to singles play.

Singles First, But Doubles Keeps Gauff Sharp

Since her split with Pegula, Gauff has played selectively in doubles, skipping the discipline at majors this season. Still, her continued success in doubles—particularly with fresh partners—shows her adaptability and competitive edge. Whether she continues this momentum into the U.S. Open remains to be seen, but a title in Montreal would be her first since Roland Garros and could reset her trajectory for the rest of 2025.

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Toronto Teen Reaches Career Milestone in Montreal Thriller

Canadian tennis sensation Victoria Mboko electrified the crowd at IGA Stadium with a dramatic three-set comeback against world No. 9 Elena Rybakina, securing her place in the National Bank Open final. The 18-year-old rallied from a set down and saved a match point to win 1-6, 7-5, 7-6(4) in a gripping two-hour, 46-minute semifinal.

National Crowd Roars as Mboko Makes History

Mboko’s victory makes her only the fourth Canadian woman to ever reach a Canadian Open final and the first since Bianca Andreescu in 2019. Her relentless performance captivated fans, many of whom waved “Allez Vicky” signs and chanted as she collapsed to the court in celebration following Rybakina’s final error. The emotionally charged match turned Mboko into a national headline.

Final Showdown Set Against Four-Time Slam Champion

Mboko will face Japan’s Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam winner, in Thursday’s final at 6 p.m. ET. Osaka defeated Denmark’s Clara Tauson 6-2, 7-6(7) in the other semifinal. The highly anticipated match pits one of tennis’s rising stars against a global champion making her comeback after a brief hiatus.

Resilience on Display Despite Injury and Setbacks

In the third set, Mboko suffered a minor wrist injury after an awkward fall but fought through it with determination. She saved a match point while trailing 4-5, then broke Rybakina’s serve to force a tiebreak. With nerves of steel, she delivered a blistering forehand winner to take a 5-4 lead and clinched the win after a Rybakina backhand sailed wide.

A Breakout Year for Canada’s New Tennis Star

Mboko’s rise in 2025 has been nothing short of meteoric. After starting the year ranked outside the WTA’s top 300, she’s now projected to break into the top 35. She’s also the first Canadian to defeat three Grand Slam champions in a single WTA event in the Open Era, including wins over Coco Gauff and Sloane Stephens earlier this week.

Local Support Fuels Mboko’s Dream Run

Born in Charlotte, North Carolina to Congolese parents but raised in Toronto, Mboko has become a fan favourite at home. With Canadian stars like Eugenie Bouchard bowing out early, the teen has emerged as the heart of the tournament. Her intensity, talent, and poise have drawn crowds to practice courts and primetime matches alike.

Momentum Builds Toward Thursday’s Final

With a 52-9 record this year and 26 wins against higher-ranked opponents, Mboko’s momentum is undeniable. Her matchup with Osaka will mark the biggest match of her career and a potential crowning moment in front of a home crowd.

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