Sports briefs for December 20, 2004

Monday, Dec. 20, 2004 | 9:10 a.m.

Varitek rejects Red Sox arbitration

The Boston Red Sox's window for signing free agent catcher Jason Varitek grew smaller Sunday night when Varitek declined the team's offer of salary arbitration. Midnight Sunday was the deadline for free agents to accept or decline arbitration.

The Red Sox retain the right to negotiate with Varitek until Jan. 8. If no deal is struck by then, the club would not be allowed to negotiate with him until May 1.

"We talked with (general manager) Theo (Epstein) last week and talks are ongoing," said Varitek's agent, Scott Boras. Asked if an agreement was imminent, Boras said, "Talks are ongoing."

Boras said another of his clients, free agent pitcher Derek Lowe, also declined arbitration, as expected. With the Red Sox having signed Edgar Renteria to play shortstop, Orlando Cabrera, who was paid $6 million last season in a contract he signed with the Expos, also declined arbitration.

Today is the deadline for teams to tender their remaining 40-man roster players a major league contract, excluding those who are on multiyear deals. Players who are not offered a contract become free agents.

Henin-Hardenne falls

Former No. 1 Justine Henin-Hardenne lost a second consecutive exhibition match, falling to Elena Dementieva 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 at Brussels, Belgium, as she tries to ready her game for next month's Australian Open. Henin-Hardenne, who lost an exhibition on Saturday to Nathalie Dechy in Charleroi, Belgium, hadn't played since September after being weakened by a viral illness.

Canadian wins

Thomas Grandi won the giant slalom race at Alta Badia, Italy, to become the first Canadian to win a World Cup race since Cary Mullen in 1994.

Garcia sweeps again

Sunny Garcia clinched a record sixth Triple Crown of Surfing when he finished second to Jamie O'Brien in the Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters at Haleiwa, Hawaii.