Roger Federer returns the ball to Milos Raonic in the final of the ATP Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart on Sunday.

Federer beats Raonic for Stuttgart 18th grass title

STUTTGART, Germany • Roger Federer defeated Milos Raonic 6-4, 7-6 (3) to mark his return from three months off with the Stuttgart Open title on Sunday.

The Swiss great, who is assured of reclaiming the No. 1 ranking from Rafael Nadal on Monday, broke at 1-1 in the opening set and held his nerve in the second, where Raonic double-faulted.

Federer skipped the entire clay-court season for the second year in a row, but he wrapped up his 18th grass-court title in 1 hour and 18 minutes – his 98th title overall and third of the season after victories at the Australian Open and World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam.

“It’s a wonderful feeling. I fought hard. When you finally manage it, the joy is even greater,” said Federer, who extended his grass-court winning streak to 16 matches including his titles at Halle and Wimbledon last year.

The 36-year-old will need to defend his title at Halle to maintain his No. 1 spot ahead of Wimbledon.

• JOHANNA KONTA failed to shake the umpire’s hand on Sunday after a bad-tempered end to the Nottingham Open final, with Ashleigh Barty winning 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.

After the first two sets were shared, Konta recovered from 4-1 down in the decider to level at 4-4 but got angry with umpire Paula Vieira Souza for not overruling a Barty shot that looked long as the top-seeded Australian held for 5-4. Neither the line judge nor Souza called it out.

“It’s an absolute joke,” fourth-seeded Konta told Souza. “You’re making decisions that affect our lives. Do you fully understand that?”

Arson suspected where Randolph’s brother killed

Marion, Ind. • Investigators determined a fire likely was intentionally set at an Indiana bar, one day after the brother of NBA star Zach Randolph was fatally shot there.

The fire happened at Hop’s Blues Room in Marion early Sunday — less than 24 hours after 35-year-old Roger Randolph was found dead.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze that caused an estimated $20,000 in damage. Marion Fire Department Investigator Brandon Eckstein says the cause of the fire was arson.

Early Saturday, Roger Randolph died shortly after he was found shot in the parking lot of the business. Police say no arrests have been made.

Authorities didn’t immediately say whether they believe Randolph’s death and the fire are related.

CWS: Arkansas, Texas Tech victorious in Omaha

OMAHA, Neb. • Once Arkansas’ offense got rolling against Texas in the sixth inning, nothing could stop the Razorbacks. Not even the weather.

Five straight batters had reached base when the teams were pulled from the field for a weather delay. When play resumed, five more in a row got on base.

What turned into an eight-run sixth carried the Razorbacks to an 11-5 win in their College World Series opener on Sunday.

The Razorbacks (45-19) scored double-digit runs for the fourth time in six NCAA Tournament wins and had their highest total in 28 CWS games.

• GABE HOLT hit a tiebreaking single in the fifth inning and drove in an insurance run in the ninth, leading Texas Tech to a stunning 6-3 win over defending national champion Florida in the College World Series.

The Red Raiders (45-18) won their CWS opener for the first time, and they did it against the No. 1 overall seed and a first-round draft pick in starting pitcher Brady Singer.