Federer and Roddick roll at U.S. Open

Tennis Betting Lines

08/30/2010 - Flushing Meadows, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Second seeded and five-time champion Roger Federer along with birthday boy and former champion Andy Roddick were easy opening-round winners Monday at the U.S. Open.

The reigning Australian Open titlist Federer was stunned by Argentine Juan Martin del Potro in last year's final here, which prevented the 16-time Grand Slam champion from Switzerland from capturing a sixth straight title in Flushing. Federer was the U.S. Open champ from 2004-08.

Federer opened his quest for a title with a 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 win over Argentinian Brian Dabul in the featured match of the night session at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Swiss shotmaker fired 18 aces and 46 winners in comparison to his overmatched opponent's four winners.

The ninth-seeded former world No. 1 Roddick, celebrating his 28th birthday on Monday, blasted helpless Frenchman Stephane Robert 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in 1 hour, 42 minutes on the grounds at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Roddick popped eight aces and had his serve broken only once in the predictable bout.

Roddick was asked about turning 28 years old.

"I don't really think about it, because it makes no difference what I think about it," Roddick said. "It's like you go out there and give the best of what you got on that day."

Roddick, who exited the draw in the third round here a year ago, is now 36-9 lifetime at the U.S. Open.

The Nebraska native Roddick captured his lone Grand Slam title here seven years ago and was the 2006 U.S. Open runner-up to the great Federer, who has beaten the American slugger in four major finales.

Roddick's second-round opponent will be tough Serb Janko Tipsarevic, who overcame diminutive Belgian Olivier Rochus 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-0), 6-2.

Fifth-seeded Swede Robin Soderling went the distance to hold off unheralded Austrian Andreas Haider-Maurer 7-5, 6-3, 6-7 (2-7), 5-7, 6-4 in just under four hours. The ever-improving Soderling is the reigning two-time French Open runner-up.

Sixth-seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko cruised into the second round with a 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 pasting of American journeyman Michael Russell. The dangerous Davydenko looked strong, fit and fast on Day 1 in the Big Apple.

Eleventh-seeded Croat Marin Cilic handled Ukrainian Illya Marchenko 7-5, 6-3, 6-1, while 17th-seeded Frenchman Gael Monfils needed more than three hours to outlast American Robert Kendrick 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-4. Cilic was an Aussie Open semifinalist back in January.

Austrian Jurgen Melzer, seeded 13th, outlasted Russian Dmitry Tursunov, 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 4-6, 6-2 while 21st-seeded Albert Montanes of Spain rebounded from a two-set deficit to knock off Poland's Michal Przysiezny, 5-7, 1-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-5), 6-0 to move into round two.

Former world No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero dismantled Slovakian Martin Klizan 6-1, 6-3, 6-0, while Croat Ivan Dodig upset 27th-seeded Fernando Gonzalez 6-7 (2-7), 6-1, 1-0. The former Aussie Open runner-up "Gonzo" retired in the third set against Dodig due to a knee injury. The 22nd-seeded former French Open champion Ferrero was the U.S. Open runner-up in 2003.

Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil, the 26th seed, advanced into the next round with a 6-3, 7-5, 7-6 (6) victory over American Tim Smyczek.

Australian Lleyton Hewitt, seeded 32nd, who titled here in 2001 and was the runner-up in 2004, fought back from a two-set hole to force a fifth and deciding set only to fall to Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu, 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 4-6, 6-1.

Additional opening-round wins came for Frenchmen Richard Gasquet and Guillaume Rufin, Russian Igor Andreev, Brazil's Ricardo Mello, Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis, Aussie Carsten Ball, Japan's Kei Nishikori, Dutchman Thiemo de Bakker, American Taylor Dent, Andreas Beck of Germany and Kevin Anderson of South Africa.

The champion will collect at least $1.7 million.

Freepono Tennis Betting News

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Super Bowl XLIV Odds

Super Bowl XLIII isn't even a week old yet and oddsmakers have already released Super Bowl XLIV odds.

Despite the Pittsburgh Steelers winning Super Bowl 43, the New England Patriots are 8/1 favorites to win Super Bowl 44.

Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds

With their 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, the Steelers became the latest NFL champion. But believe it or not, oddsmakers from online sports book MySportsbook.com don't have the Steelers the favorites to win Super Bowl XLIV next season.

That honor belongs to the New England Patriots, who are 8/1 favorites to win despite not even qualify for the postseason in 2008. The Pats also have a major decision to make regarding what to do with Matt Cassel, who played well in Tom Brady's (knee surgery) absence last year but is also a free agent this offseason.

Ironically, the Steelers aren't even oddsmakers second choice to win Super Bowl 44, as the Dallas Cowboys are listed right behind the Patriots at 9/1 despite not making the playoffs themselves. Clearly oddsmakers think the public will hop back on the Cowboys' bandwagon considering the immense talent they have and the opening of a brand new stadium.

After Dallas, then comes Pittsburgh at 10/1, but they share those odds with the New York Giants, who won Super Bowl XLII. The Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers round out the top six teams at 12/1, while the Baltimore Ravens (14/1), Tennessee Titans (16/1), Carolina Panthers (18/1) and Philadelphia Eagles (18/1) complete the top 10.

The NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals got no love from oddsmakers as they were established as a 30/1 long shot to win next year's Super Bowl. They share those same odds with the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers – two teams that didn't even qualify for the postseason. Other long shots are the Kansas City Chiefs (100/1), Detroit Lions (100/1), St. Louis Rams (75/1) and Oakland Raiders (75/1).

To see a complete list of all the team's odds to win Super Bowl XLIV, check below.

NFL TEAM FUTURE ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL XLIV

New England Patriots 8/1

Dallas Cowboys 9/1

New York Giants 10/1

Pittsburgh Steelers 10/1

Indianapolis Colts 12/1

San Diego Chargers 12/1

Baltimore Ravens 14/1

Tennessee Titans 16/1

Carolina Panthers 18/1

Philadelphia Eagles 18/1

New Orleans Saints 20/1

Atlanta Falcons 25/1

Denver Broncos 25/1

Green Bay Packers 25/1

Jacksonville Jaguars 25/1

Minnesota Vikings 25/1

New York Jets 25/1

Arizona Cardinals 30/1

Chicago BearS 30/1

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30/1

Buffalo Bills 35/1

Houston TexaNS 35/1

Miami Dolphins 35/1

Washington Redskins 35/1

Seattle SeahawkS 50/1

Cleveland Browns 55/1

Cincinnati Bengals 60/1

San Francisco 49ers 60/1

Oakland Raiders 75/1

St. Louis Rams 75/1

Detroit Lions 100/1

Kansas City Chiefs 100/1

Odds as of: 2/2/09

Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds

To visit this online sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your NFL football betting needs.

El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

Additional baseball lines and World Series odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.