BRIEFLY; TYSON IS WELCOME.

Byline: Daily News

Mike Tyson's on-and-almost-off fight in Britain is on.

After two days of threatening to bar the former heavyweight champion from the country for a 1992 rape conviction, government officials relented Thursday and ruled Tyson's Jan. 29 fight in Manchester, England, could go ahead against Julius Francis 

With organizers saying they'd lose millions and the fight a sellout at 21,000, Home Secretary Jack Straw stepped in and opened the gates to Tyson, who arrives on the Concorde at Heathrow Airport on Sunday.

TENNIS: Andre Agassi got some extra practice for the Australian Open along with a spot in the final of the Colonial Classic in Melbourne.

``That's what this event is all about,'' Agassi said after his 1-hour, 42-minute 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 victory over Thomas Enqvist. ``You've got the top guys out there working hard trying to get challenged like that. It was a good day

for both of us, great tennis.''

--Bjorn Borg, the biggest winner in Swedish tennis history, was a double loser in his farewell matches in his native Stockholm.

Borg is retiring from the Senior Tour after this year, but he had so much fun playing Mats Wilander and Stefan Edberg that he didn't rule out another similar exhibition in the future.

``It was wonderful to feel the crowd's appreciation,'' said Borg, who received the longest standing ovation during the opening ceremony from the standing-room-only crowd of 3,500 that included King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia, Princess Lilian and scores of Swedish celebrities.

--Chanda Rubin of Lafayette, La., reached the semifinals in Hobart, Australia, by defeating 17-year-old Justine Henin of Belgium 7-5, 0-6, 6-2.

GOLF: American Ronnie McCann shot a 3-under-par 69 to share the first-round lead in the rain-interrupted Alfred Dunhill Championship in Johannesburg, South Africa.

SWIMMING: Australian Matt Welsh used a strong finish to beat American Lenny Krayzelburg in the 100-meter backstroke in the World Cup short-course meet at Hobart, Australia.

SOCCER: Even with the second string, the U.S. women's team won the Australian Cup in Adelaide. Sherill Kester, Danielle Slaton and Aly Wagner scored to lead the United States over Australia 3-1.

HOCKEY: The St. Louis Blues, seeking to beef up for the stretch drive, acquired veteran right wing Stephane Richer from the Tampa Bay Lightning for defenseman Chris McAlpine and goalie Rich Parent

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo: British authorities have relented and will allow ex-convict Mike Tyson to fight Julius Francis in Manchester on Jan. 29.

Michael Caulfield/Associated Press