The United States beat Finland, 6-3, yesterday, setting up a semifinal against two-time defending champion Canada at the World Junior Ice Hockey Championship in Mora, Sweden. Sweden defeated the Czech Republic, 5-1, in another quarterfinal and will play Russia in the semifinals today.

Jack Skille deflected a shot from Erik Johnson on a power play 23 seconds into the third period to give the Americans a 3-2 lead, but Finland's Oskar Osala tied it a minute later.

The U.S. then capitalized on three five-on-three power plays, starting with Peter Mueller's winner nearly eight minutes into the period. Trevor Lewis and Jack Johnson closed the scoring for the Americans.

Baseball

Pitcher Barry Zito will make a base salary of $10 million from the San Francisco Giants in 2007, then receive raises of $4 million in each of the next two seasons. Zito, a star left-hander and former AL Cy Young Award winner, agreed last week to a record $126 million, seven-year contract with San Francisco -- the largest contract for a pitcher -- that also includes an $18 million club option for 2014 with a $7 million buyout. He is scheduled to be formally introduced today.

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays obtained infielder Brendan Harris from the Cincinnati Reds for a player to be named later or cash.

The Washington Nationals do not expect first baseman Nick Johnson to be ready in time for opening day because he is still favoring the right leg that was broken in a collision in September. In fact, the team says he might miss the first month.

Free-agent reliever Keith Foulke arrived to take his physical for the Cleveland Indians, the final step before the club can complete a one-year deal with the right-hander pitcher. Foulke and his agent have been in talks for several weeks with the club, which is believed to be offering a mutual option for 2008.

George Sisler Jr., a former president of the International League and executive of three minor-league baseball teams, died. He was 89. Sisler, son of Hall of Famer George Sisler, had Alzheimer's disease and died Sunday outside of Columbus, Ohio.

Slippery Rock of the independent Frontier League signed left-handed pitcher Billye Hollister of Frostburg State. The team also signed outfielder Tony Marciante, who played at Pitt and Winthrop.

Tennis

Former U.S. Open and Wimbledon finalist Mark Philippoussis said he requires right knee surgery after cartilage was torn in a Hopman Cup match in Perth, Australia. Philippoussis had to retire while trailing, 4-1, in the first set against Jerome Haehnel of France. The injury rules out the Australian as a potential wild-card entry into the Australian Open, which begins Jan. 15 in Melbourne.

Top-seeded Rafael Nadal opened the year with a 6-4, 6-2 win against Rainer Schuettler of Germany, and fifth-seeded Carlos Moya of Spain defeated Germany's Alexander Waske, 7-6 (3), 6-3, in the first round of the Chennai Open in Madras, India.

Skiing

Vincent Vittoz of France and Kristin Steira of Norway won races at the inaugural cross-country Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. Vittoz finished the men's double pursuit race, which covers 20 kilometers, in 50:55.9. In double pursuit, the first half is raced in classical style and the final half in freestyle. Steira skied the 10-kilometer women's double pursuit in 29:27.6.

Track and field

Johnny Gibson, who in 1927 set the world record for 400-meter hurdles, died in Newton, N.J. He was 101.