Henin makes final in comeback event

Former world No. 1 Justine Henin reached the final in her comeback tournament with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Ana Ivanovic on Friday in the Brisbane International in Australia.

It was Henin's first tour event since she retired while holding the No. 1 ranking in May 2008. She announced her comeback in September, soon after fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters won the U.S. Open three tournaments into her own return from retirement.

The Belgian pair could meet in the final; Clijsters will face German Andrea Petkovic in the second semifinal.

"It's only a bonus to be here at this stage of the tournament," Henin said.

Ivanovic, 22, who has slipped from No. 1 to No. 21 and failed to win a tournament in 2009, made 19 unforced errors and four double-faults.

Federer, Nadal advance

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal reached the Qatar Open semifinals, with Federer overcoming strong-serving Ernests Gulbis 6-2, 4-6, 6-4, and Nadal beating Steve Darcis of Belgium when Darcis retired because of back problems while trailing 6-1, 2-0.

Deal for Kotchman official The Seattle Mariners finalized the trade with the Boston Red Sox that brought first baseman Casey Kotchman to Seattle for outfielder Bill Hall, a player to be determined and cash.

Kotchman passed his physical to complete the deal, which had been agreed to Tuesday.

Boston has an excess of veteran corner infielders following the signing of former Seattle third baseman Adrian Beltre, a two-time Gold Glove winner who got a one-year deal worth a guaranteed $10 million. The Red Sox also have Mike Lowell, whom they tried to trade to Texas last month.

• The Oakland Athletics have agreed to a $2.65 million, one-year contract to bring back Jack Cust, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told the Associated Press. Cust is likely to be the club's designated hitter this season.

• Matt Holliday and the Cardinals finalized a seven-year, $120 million contract, leaving St. Louis to turn its attention to signing Albert Pujols to a long-term extension.

Mayweather also says he's still ready to sign a deal for the fight, which was slated for March 13 in Las Vegas before Pacquiao promoter Top Rank declared it dead Wednesday night.

Mayweather (40-0, 25 knockouts) made his first public comments about the negotiations in a written statement that began with Mayweather saying he's "thoroughly disgusted" by Pacquiao's representatives' attempts to blame him for the collapse of what's likely to be the richest bout in boxing history.

"I know the people will see through their smokes screens and lies," Mayweather said. "I am ready to fight and sign the contract. Manny needs to stop making his excuses, step up and fight."

Pacquiao has filed a lawsuit alleging Mayweather and most of his representatives, including Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, defamed him by falsely accusing him of using performance-enhancing drugs.

In court: Former NBA star Jayson Williams apologized to police for "causing trouble" about 90 minutes after swerving into oncoming traffic and crashing his SUV into a tree, prosecutors said at Williams' arraignment on drunken driving charges in New York. Bail was set at $10,000.

Soccer: Hans Backe, the winner of four Danish titles while coaching for nearly three decades in Europe, was hired as coach of Major league Soccer's New York Red Bulls.