Iga Swiatek easily advances in Montreal in first match since Wimbledon victory

MONTREAL (AP) — Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek easily advanced to the third round of the National Bank Open, beating Guo Hanyu of China 6-3, 6-1 on Wednesday.

Playing for the first time since routing Amanda Anisimova 6-0, 6-0 in the Wimbledon final for her sixth major, Swiatek raced to a 4-0 lead to push her games winning streak to 24.

“I think I played a really solid match today,” Swiatek said. “Playing the first match on hard court after a pretty long break from the surface is always tricky, so I’m happy that I just focused on myself, adjusted to the conditions and played well.”

On Friday, the second-seeded Polish star will face Eva Lys of Germany, a 6-3, 6-4 winner over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia in a night match.

Two-time defending champion Jessica Pegula of the United States also advanced, topping Marie Sakkari of Greece 7-5, 6-4. Fifth-seeded Amanda Anisimova, also of the United States, beat Lulu Sun of New Zealand 6-4, 7-6 (5).

Sixth-seeded Madison Keys of the United States beat Germany’s Laura Siegemund 6-2, 6-1, and former top-ranked player Naomi Osaka of Japan rallied to edge Liudmila Samsonova of Russia 4-6, 7-6 (6), 6-3.

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Madison Keys, of USA, serves the ball during second round tennis action against Laura Siegemund, of Germany, at the National Bank Open tennis tournament in Montreal on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

Naomi Osaka, of Japan, reacts during a match against Liudmila Samsonova, of Russia, at the National Bank Open women’s tennis tournament on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, in Montreal. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

Jessica Pegula of the United States serves to Maria Sakkari of Greece during second round tennis action at the National Bank Open in Montreal, Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

Iga Swiatek, of Poland, celebrates after defeating Guo Hanyu, of China, during second round tennis at the National Bank Open tennis tournament in Montreal on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

Iga Swiatek, of Poland, celebrates after defeating Guo Hanyu, of China, during second round tennis at the National Bank Open tennis tournament in Montreal on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

DENVER (AP) — Versatile infielder/outfielder Willi Castro and the Colorado Rockies agreed to a $12.8 million, two-year deal Thursday, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced.

Castro spent last season with the Minnesota Twins and Chicago Cubs, where he hit a combined .226 with 11 homers and 33 RBIs. He played all three outfield spots last season in addition to seeing time at third and shortstop. He even pitched an inning while with the Twins.

The 28-year-old Castro made his major league debut on Aug. 24, 2019, while with Detroit. He spent four seasons with the Tigers before joining the Twins, where he was an All-Star in 2024. He was traded to the Cubs last July.

Earlier in the day, the Rockies finalized the signing of right-handed starter Michael Lorenzen to an $8 million, one-year contract. The deal includes a $9 million club option for 2027. Right-hander Bradley Blalock was designated for assignment to open a roster spot.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb

FILE - Chicago Cubs' Willi Castro (1) runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Sept. 5, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley, File)