Winter sports
Rolland wins women’s downhill title — Marion Rolland of France beat all the favorites to win the world downhill title on Sunday in Schladming, Austria, mastering an icy course that left most of her rivals struggling to find the right race line. Rolland, who has yet to win a World Cup race after 15 top-10 finishes in downhill, earned her first medal at a major championship after charging down the 1.9-mile Streicher course in 1 minute, 50.00 seconds. Nadia Fanchini of Italy trailed Rolland by 0.16 in second. Maria Hoefl-Riesch of Germany, who won the super-combined title Friday, finished in third.
Vonn’s knee surgery goes well — Lindsey Vonn had surgery on her right knee on Sunday after she shredded two ligaments during a crash last week at the world championships. The U.S. Ski Team said Dr. William Sterett, a physician for the squad, operated on the four-time overall World Cup champion in Vail, Colo., on Sunday morning. Sterett was optimistic at a full recovery and said of Vonn: “She will do everything in her power to return as quickly as possible to competitive skiing." Vonn tore her anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments last week during the super-G in Schladming, Austria. She also broke a bone in her lower leg. The 28-year-old Vonn is hoping to be healed in time for the 2014 Sochi Winter Games, which are a year away.
Tennis
U.S. loses to Italy in Fed Cup — The United States was eliminated in the first round of the Fed Cup, losing to Italy 3-2 Sunday when Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci defeated Varvara Lepchenko and Liezel Huber in the decisive doubles match. Errani and Vinci, the top-ranked doubles team, won 6-2, 6-2 against an understrength American team. The U.S. was without Serena and Venus Williams and Sloane Stephens because of injuries. The U.S. led 2-1 after Lepchenko beat Errani 7-5, 6-2 in Sunday’s first reverse singles. But Vinci stopped Jamie Hampton 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 to set up the crucial doubles for Errani and Vinci, who ended the best-of-five World Group series.
Nadal loses in Chile final — Rafael Nadal lost to Horacio Zeballos in three sets in the VTR Open final on Sunday in Vina Del Mar, Chile, settling for a runner-up finish in his first tournament after being sidelined for seventh months with a left knee injury. Nadal was an overwhelming favorite, shooting for his 37th singles title on clay. But Zeballos won 6-7 (2), 7-6 (6), 6-4 for his first singles title on any surface, looking every bit the equal of the seven-time French Open champion.
Cilic wins Zagreb Indoors — Top-seeded Marin Cilic of Croatia defeated Jurgen Melzer of Austria 6-3, 6-1 Sunday to win the Zagreb Indoors in Zagreb, Croatia, for the third time. Cilic also won the tournament in 2009 and 2010. This was his ninth career title.
Gasquet wins Montpellier — Frenchman Richard Gasquet beat compatriot Benoit Paire 6-2, 6-3 Sunday in the Open Sud de France final in Montpellier, France, for his second title this season. Gasquet broke Paire twice for a 5-2 lead and took the opening set when a backhand return from Paire sailed wide.
Baseball
Freese gets deal with Cardinals — Former World Series MVP David Freese will earn $3.15 million under his one-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, nearly six times the $518,000 he made last year. A St. Louis County native, Freese hit .283 with 20 home runs and 79 RBIs last season and earned his first All-Star appearance. He was eligible for arbitration for the first time.
Indians near deal with Matsuzaka — Right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka and the Cleveland Indians have agreed to a minor league contract. Matsuzaka will have a chance to win a spot in Cleveland’s starting rotation if he passes a physical. The club’s pitchers and catchers reported to camp in Goodyear, Ariz., on Sunday, with physicals scheduled to take place today. The 32-year-old has won 50 major league games since signing a $52 million, six-year contract with Boston as a free agent in 2007. Dice-K is reuniting with Terry Francona, his manager for most of his time with the Red Sox.
Hairston, Cubs finalize contract — Outfielder Scott Hairston and the Chicago Cubs have finalized a two-year contract. The 32-year-old Hairston hit .263 with a career-high 20 homers, 57 RBIs and 25 doubles last year in his second season with the New York Mets. He also has played for Arizona (2004-07), San Diego (2007-09, 2010) and Oakland (2009) during a nine-year big league career. Hairston has a .247 career average with 95 homers and 279 RBIs.
— From wire reports
