10/18/2008 - Madrid, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Andy Murray handed Rafael Nadal the year-end No. 1 ranking with a victory over Roger Federer, then Nadal bowed out in stunning fashion to unseeded Gilles Simon in wild semifinal action at the Madrid Masters.
Murray took a 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 decision to reach the final at the eighth of nine Master Series events this year. There, he will meet the lanky, even-tempered Simon, who downed the home favorite and reigning Wimbledon, French Open and Olympic champion Nadal in a three-hour, 22-minute affair, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (8-6).
Murray's victory gave the top-seeded Nadal the year-end No. 1 honor before he stepped foot onto the indoor surface at Madrid Arena. The 13-time major champion Federer had held the honor for four straight seasons and became the all-time prize money leader on the ATP Tour earlier in this tournament.
Nadal looked dominant early, but uncomfortable on the quick indoor hardcourts as the match wore into its second and then third hour.
In the third set, Simon broke an errant Nadal, who misfired on a pair of backhands late in the game to give the Frenchman a 6-5 lead in the deciding set. However, Simon tightened up and missed a backhand down the line wide and an approach shot deep before dumping a forehand into the net to give back the break for 6-6.
Nadal won a marathon first point in the tiebreak, but Simon used a strong second serve to the middle and a quick high volley to even it. However, Nadal's strong forehand had Simon well behind the baseline on the next point, resulting in a forehand that clipped the top of the tape and stayed on the Frenchman's side for 2-1.
The Spanish star clubbed an overhead slam for the 3-1 lead, but pulled a forehand one point later to cut the advantage to 3-2 and another pushed forehand evened the tiebreak.
Simon set up a powerful forehand down the line for a 4-3 edge and took a 5-3 lead before Nadal's service winner out wide to the deuce court. Serving for the match, Simon dumped one into the net one point later to square the tiebreak.
The quick surface was Nadal's downfall on an unforced error, giving Simon a 6-5 lead, but he recovered with a deep forehand to again tie it.
Simon took a 7-6 lead on Nadal's serve then watched as a Nadal passing shot was called in on the baseline. An official review showed the ball sailed just long, and Simon raised his hands in exasperated triumph.
In the first semifinal, Murray weathered the storm of Federer, who came into the semifinal bout on an 11-match winning streak and with good memories at Madrid (runner-up in 2007 and champion one year earlier). The Swiss superstar had also beaten Murray in the U.S. Open final last month.
The fourth-seeded Scot looked a beaten man in a first set, recording just a 59 percent first-serve percentage and failing on his lone break opportunity.
The second set was much different, as Murray won all 15 points on a successful first serve and broke Federer for 3-1 on a deft volley off a hard change into the net. Federer didn't even get a break chance in the set, forcing a deciding third set for a trip to the final.
The third set saw a different game plan for the normally cautious Murray, who became the aggressor and drilled more than half his winners and eight of his 14 aces in the final set.
For his part, Federer played fantastic defense, staving off six break points in the set. However, Murray had seven chances, and finally converted after failing at three break chances in the third game and a pair more in the 11th.
<< Venus outlasts Ivanovic to join Pennetta in Zurich final
Zurich, Switzerland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Venus Williams battled past Ana
Ivanovic in a two-plus hour battle of former world No. 1s to join Italy's
Flavia Pennetta in the final of the $600,000 Zurich Open.
Williams outlasted the
<< Celtic slips past Inverness to extend lead
Inverness, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Celtic extended its lead atop the
Scottish Premier League to three points as they earned a hard-fought 2-1 win
over Inverness at Caledonian Stadium on Saturday.
Scott Brown and Glenn Loovens s
<< Points leader Hornaday grabs pole for Martinsville
Martinsville, VA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ron Hornaday Jr. won the pole for
Saturday's Kroger 200 at the Martinsville Speedway. The No.33 Chevrolet driver
and defending Craftsman Truck Series champion rounded the half-mile track in
19.817
<< Around the CFL: Cates, Dominguez to return for Riders
Regina, SK (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Saskatchewan Roughriders will have two of
their top offensive weapons back when they host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on
Sunday.
Running back Wes Cates and receiver Matt Dominguez will both be in the lin
Liverpool rallies again to stay unbeaten >>
Liverpool, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Dirk Kuyt scored two goals, including
the game-winning strike in the 85th minute, as Liverpool maintained its
unbeaten mark in the Premiership with a 3-2 victory over Wigan at Anfield on
Saturda
Grothe and Bulls use strong second half to crush Orange >>
Tampa, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Matt Grothe threw three touchdown passes and ran
for a score, as 19th-ranked South Florida used a dominant second half to pull
away for a 45-13 rout of Syracuse at Raymond James Stadium.
South Florida built a
Turner leads Maryland to rout of No. 21 Wake Forest >>
College Park, MD (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chris Turner completed 28-of-41 passes for
321 yards and a touchdown, and Maryland knocked off another top-25 team with a
26-0 thumping of No. 21 Wake Forest.
Darrius Heyward-Bey had 11 catches for 101
Texas Tech's Harrell shines again in win over Aggies >>
College Station, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Graham Harrell put up his customary big
numbers, throwing for 450 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for two
more, as the seventh-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders overcame a game Texas A&M
squ
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.
American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout
An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.
Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off. Randy was not impressed though. Paula thought he started off fantastic. "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either.
Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed. Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact. He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition.
Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula. Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.
Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next. Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential. Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell. He sang "Careless Whisper".
22 year old Chris Richardson was up next. He was listed with +1100 odds coming in. He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great.
Nick was boring and pitchy. Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week. Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition.
Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds . These of course were the early odds. He was considered original for picking an "odd song". He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night.
Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good.
Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds. Great voice and a great sense of humor. He's a real standout. Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit. Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig".
Jared Cotter followed. He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition. The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good.
22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next. "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon. Though the judges felt he performed okay. Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.
Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition. He was the last to perform. He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start.
Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys. Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.
Sports Betting News: NFL Team History | Football Betting | Baseball Betting | Basketball Betting | Hockey Betting | Golf Betting | Tennis Betting | Auto Racing Betting | Horse Racing Betting | Soccer Betting