Glover takes a one-shot lead at Kapalua

U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover returned to Kapalua, Hawaii, and had another miserable start to the first round of a new PGA Tour season. The difference Thursday was how he finished.

Glover recovered from a double bogey on his opening hole by going nine under par over a nine-hole stretch in the middle of his round. He finished it off with a tap-in birdie for a seven-under 66 and a one-shot lead in the season-opening SBS Championship.

The last time he qualified for this winners-only tournament, Glover began his season with four consecutive bogeys. This time, he hit a weak four-iron that disappeared into the native shrubs and led to a double bogey.

“I was aiming 25 feet left of the hole and hit it 25 feet to the right,” he said. “I got what I deserved.”

He made up for it in a big way.

Glover made two eagles in a five-hole stretch on the Plantation Course at Kapalua that turned his fortunes quickly. He then made four consecutive birdies to open the back nine, and took the outright lead with a pitch from just short of the 18th green that trickled to inside a foot from the cup.

Nathan Green of Australia and Martin Laird of Scotland, among seven players making their debuts at Kapalua, joined Dustin Johnson and Nick Watney at 67.

TENNIS

Federer, Nadal reach semifinals

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal reached the Qatar Open semifinals at Doha.

Federer overcame strong-serving Ernests Gulbis, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4, and Nadal led Steve Darcis, 6-1, 2-0, when the Belgian retired because of a back problems.

In the semifinals today, Federer will play third-seeded Nikolay Davydenko, a 7-6 (4), 7-6 (7) winner over seventh-seeded Ivo Karlovic.

Nadal will face fifth-seeded Viktor Troicki, a 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (1) winner over Lukasz Kubot.

Justine Henin reached the final in her comeback tournament with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Ana Ivanovic today in the Brisbane International in Australia.

The seven-time major winner 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, with Clijsters to face German Andrea Petkovic in the second semifinal.

PRO BASKETBALL

Teammates of Arenas face fines

The Washington Wizards plan to fine some players for participating in Gilbert Arenas’ on-court antics that made light of his gun troubles, an NBA official said.

The official told the Associated Press that the team is reviewing details from the Tuesday night game at Philadelphia before determining who will be fined and how much. The official has direct knowledge of the team’s plans and spoke on condition of anonymity because the review was still ongoing.

Before the game, Arenas was surrounded by his teammates when he knelt on the court and pointed his index fingers at them, as if he were firing guns. A photograph shows nearly all the players laughing or smiling.

BASEBALL

Athletics, Cust agree on contract

The Oakland Athletics agreed to a $2.65-million, one-year contract to bring back Jack Cust, giving the team some much-needed power in the middle of the order.

Cust is likely to be the club’s primary designated hitter this season. General Manager Billy Beane has been committed to upgrading Oakland’s offense.

Cust can earn an additional $350,000 in performance bonuses and would get the full amount if he has 600 plate appearances.

Adrian Beltre and the Boston Red Sox finalized a one-year contract that guarantees the third baseman $10 million.

Beltre gets $9 million this year, and the deal includes a $5-million player option for 2011 with a $1-million buyout. The option would escalate to $10 million if Beltre has 575 plate appearances this year.

The Seattle Mariners finalized the trade with the Red Sox that brings first baseman Casey Kotchman to Seattle for outfielder Bill Hall, a player to be named and cash. . . . Matt Holliday and the St. Louis Cardinals have finalized their $120-million, seven-year contract.