Serena races to eighth title of year in Toronto

Toronto: World number one Serena Williams steamrolled Sorana Cirstea 6-2, 6-0 on Sunday to win the WTA title in Toronto and signal her readiness for a US Open title bid.

The 31-year-old American, stung by a fourth-round Wimbledon exit after grabbing her 16th Grand Slam crown at Roland Garros, claimed a third Canadian crown to go with those she won in 2001 and 2011. Williams needed just 61 minutes to notch her eighth title of 2013 and the 54th of her career. Cirstea, who had beaten three top-10 players en route to the final in Caroline Wozniacki, Petra Kvitova and Li Na as well as former world number one Jelena Jankovic, couldn`t pull off another upset. It was her third straight-sets loss to Williams in as many meetings. AFP