Serena Williams will take on Naomi Osaka for the first time since the controversial 2018 US Open final in the quarter-finals of the Rogers Cup.

Oskaka won her first Grand Slam in New York in September but the match was marred by an on-court argument between wiliams and the chair umpire

The American beat Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-5 6-4 in Toronto, while Japan’s Osaka won 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 against Iga Swiatek.

“I’ve actually been looking forward to playing her,” said Williams.

Of 21-year-old world number two Osaka, who also won the Australian Open in January, she added: “She has had a great year early in the season and she’s still doing pretty good.”

World number 10 Williams – a three-time Rogers Cup winner – went a double break down early on against Russian Alexandrova, and dropped the first three games before battling back with two breaks of her own.

The 37-year-old 23-time Grand Slam champion went on to wrap up the opening set, though was forced to wait until her fourth set point after spurning her opportunities at 5-4 up.

She once again got off to a poor start in the second set by being broken in the first game but levelled at 3-3 and went on to seal with another break as Alexandrova was made to pay for her 11 double faults in the match.

“She hit really, really hard and she was hitting a lot of winners,” said Williams. “So I was just happy that I was able to fight through that.”

Meanwhile, defending champion Simona Halep also progressed to the quarter-finals, beating Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-2 6-1 in one hour seven minutes.

Romanian fourth seed Halep, who won her second Grand Slam at Wimbledon in July, will play Czech Marie Bouzkova.

Elsewhere, Czech third seed Karolina Pliskova beat Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit 6-3 7-5 to set up a last-eight meeting with Canadian Bianca Andreescu, while Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina and American Sofia Kenin also progressed.

Top of Form

Tiger Woods endured a difficult return as he shot a four-over 75 in the first of the PGA Tour’s play-off events at Liberty National in New Jersey.

Woods was playing his first round since missing the cut in the open last month.

He recorded five bogeys and one double bogey to lie 13 strokes behind early leader Troy Merritt, who fired a 62.

Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy was three shots off the lead after a six-under 65 with England’s Danny Willett a further shot back.

Scotland’s Russell Knox also finished on five-under alongside 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed.

Woods, 43, who had spinal fusion surgery in April 2017, was only able to practise chipping and putting in Wednesday’s pro-am.

After Thursday’s round he said his back was “a little bit stiff, but that’s just the way it’s going to be”.

Thankfully from Woods’ point of view, there were far fewer spectators on hand to witness his struggles than normal. Following bad weather the day before, spectators were not allowed in until 10.00 local time, at which point he had almost completed his first nine holes.

The 43-year-old has played a very limited schedule since he won the masters, with this being only his fifth start since that Sunday in April.

But he did not look comfortable and the poor round followed on from his struggles at Portrush in the The Open, where he had rounds of 78 and 70 to miss the halfway cut by five strokes.

“I didn’t hit any good shots and didn’t make any putts,” Woods added.

Everton have signed forward Alex Iwobi from Arsenal on a five-year deal for a fee that could rise to £34m.

Iwobi came through the ranks at the Gunners, scoring 15 goals in 149 games.

The Nigeria forward is Marco Silva’s seventh summer signing.

“Alex was one of our main targets for this window and I believe he is a fantastic signing. He is a direct and skilful winger and attacking midfielder who always works very hard,” the Everton manager said.

“He is still young but already with a lot of top-level experience – 100 Premier League matches, more in Europe and many international games.

“Alex fits exactly the profile of player I want. He is hungry to join Everton and take the next step in his career, to help us compete with the strongest teams in the league and reach his potential at our club.”

Iwobi – whose arrival was announced more than four hours after the window closed – joins fellow new recruits goalkeeper Jonas Lossl, defender Djibril Sidibe, midfielders Andre Gomes, Fabian Delph and Jean-Philippe Gbamin, and striker Moise Kean.

Everton had an initial bid of £30m turned down but their improved offer – an initial £28m, rising to £34m with potential add-ons – was accepted.

Iwobi featured regularly last season under manager Unai Emery, appearing in all but three Premier League games, and he scored in the Europa League final defeat by Chelsea in what was his last appearance for the club.

There was increased competition for Iwobi’s position at Arsenal following the arrival of Nicolas Pepe from Lille for a club record £72m.

Iwobi now begins a new chapter of his career at Everton, as the Toffees target an improvement on last season’s eighth-place finish.

In an attempt to do that, Silva has reshaped his squad over the summer with seven arrivals and nine permanent departures.

Anthony Joshua is willing to fight Andy Ruiz Jr on a “neutral ground”, but the British heavyweight star would love the rematch to be staged in Cardiff.

Joshua’s second world-title fight with Ruiz Jr is yet to be confirmed following the Mexican’s shock victory at Madison Square Garden in New York, although Matchroom Boxing boss Eddie Hearn has suggested a final decision is edging closer.

Ruiz Jr has voiced his displeasure at the prospect of travelling to the UK, with Joshua remaining respectful of his wishes, but the Brit admits that home advantage could be crucial as he attempts to avenge the seventh-round knockout loss in June.

.