Sports briefs

U.S. strikes gold in sledge hockey event

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — The United States sledge hockey team has struck gold with a 2-0 victory over Japan at the Vancouver Paralympics.

The U.S. didn't give up a single goal in the tournament and jumped on Japan just 4 minutes into Saturday's gold medal game when Alexi Salamone scored on the power play.

Japan was awarded a penalty shot in the second period, but American netminder Steve Cash made a shoulder save to preserve the 1-0 lead.

Japan had several good chances to tie the game late in the third period, but couldn't quite put the puck in the net. Taylor Lipsett added an insurance goal for the U.S. with 1:18 to play.

The U.S. also won gold at the 2002 Paralympics in Salt Lake City.

Roddick reaches final at Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Andy Roddick outlasted Robin Soderling 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 Saturday to make the BNP Paribas Open final for the first time.

The American will play for the title Sunday against Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia, who rode his big serve to a 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (1) victory over defending champion Rafael Nadal — the first time in 26 years that both men's semifinals went three sets.

Roddick had lost in the semifinals three times, including last year to Nadal. No American man has won the singles title at Indian Wells since Andre Agassi in 2001.

Jelena Jankovic and U.S. Open finalist Caroline Wozniacki will play for the women's title Sunday.

Klitschko flattens foe late in final round

DUESSELDORF, Germany — Wladimir Klitschko knocked out Eddie Chambers in the 12th and final round to retain his WBO and IBF heavyweight belts Saturday night.

The taller, heavier Klitschko dominated the fight and ended it with a left hook 11 seconds before the final bell. The American went down heavily and needed a couple of minutes to recover. The referee never bothered to count.

The 33-year-old Ukrainian improved to 53-3 and scored his 48th KO. Chambers lost for the second time in 37 fights.