Chen stands at top of the skating world

Nathan Chen’s redemption is complete.

While all of his top competitors fell, the 18-year-old Chen completed six quadruple jumps in the free program on Saturday in Milan, Italy, to become the first U.S. winner of the men’s world figure skating title since 2009.

For the rest, it was a falla-thon: 14 sprawls, splats, and tumbles among five competitors as they attempted the all-mighty quad. There were three falls by silver medalist Shoma Uno of Japan, who matched his Olympic silver, and two by Mikhail Kolyada of Russia, who took bronze.

Uno, the only Olympic medalist to show up at the worlds, finished nearly 50 points behind Chen.

Palo Alto’s Vincent Zhou, the world junior champion last year, fell three times in the final skate, tumbling to 14th place after a strong short program put him within striking distance.

Tennis

FEDERER LOSES NO. 1 RANKING >> Roger Federer lost his second consecutive match and the No. 1 ranking. Bigserving Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis, a qualifier ranked 175th, rallied to upset Federer 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4) at the Miami Open in Key Biscayne, Florida.

The 36-year-old Federer had been the oldest No. 1 man ever, but he’ll lose that spot to Rafael Nadal when the new rankings come out April 2.

Federer’s defeat left both No. 1 players out of the tournament. Simona Halep was eliminated hours earlier in the third round by Agnieszka Radwanska 3-6, 6-2, 6-3.

Baseball

COLON CUT BY RANGERS BUT COULD RETURN >> The Texas Rangers cut pitcher Bartolo Colon, but the popular 44-year-old could rejoin them soon. The Rangers released Colon from his minor league contract. The team faced a Saturday deadline to either add the right-hander to their 25-man roster, cut him or pay him $100,000 to stick around for now. The Rangers still have the option of renegotiating a new deal with Colon, and have shown interest in keeping him. VAZQUEZ GETS NEW DEAL FROM RED SOX >> Catcher Christian Vazquez and the Boston Red Sox have reached agreement on a new contract that takes him through the 2021 season. The deal includes a team option for 2022. Media reports said Vazquez, who had been signed for 2018, was assured more than $13 million with the three extra guaranteed years. Vazquez hit .290 with five home runs and 32 RBIs last season.

Motorsports

WEATHER CANCELS TRUCKS

RACE, CUP QUALIFYING >> Weather washed out qualifying for NASCAR’s first stop this season at a short track and Martin Truex Jr. will start today from the pole at Martinsville (Virginia) Speedway. There was no qualifying session because of a wintry mix that moved through the Virginia area and halted the Truck Series race after just 23 laps. NASCAR postponed the Truck Race and set the Cup field by owner’s points. The Truck Race is now scheduled to resume after Sunday’s Cup event.

MLS

MAURER SAVES DAY FOR DALLAS >> Roland Lamah scored his third goal in two games, and Jimmy Maurer had a career-high five saves in FC Dallas’ 1-1 tie with the visiting Portland Timbers. Lawrence Olum, who was shown a yellow card for unsporting behavior in the 44th minute, drew a red for a hand ball in the 75th for Portland (0-2-1).

Boxing

HEARING FOR CANELO >> Canelo Alvarez will have to explain how he tested positive for performance enhancing drugs if his May 5 middleweight title rematch with Gennady Golovkin is to go forward. The Nevada Athletic Commission has suspended the Mexican superstar pending the April 10 hearing on his two positive tests for Clenbuterol. Alvarez does not have to appear at the hearing in Las Vegas, though his representatives do.