Zvonareva lands in U.S. Open semis

Tennis Betting Lines

09/08/2010 - Flushing Meadows, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Russia's top player, Vera Zvonareva, was a straight-set quarterfinal winner Wednesday at the 2010 U.S. Open.

The seventh-seeded Zvonareva reached her second straight Grand Slam semifinal by handling 31st-seeded Kaia Kanepi 6-3, 7-5 on another sun-filled afternoon at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

Zvonareva broke Kanepi for a 6-5 lead in the second set, and converted on her first match point in the next game when Kanepi launched one final backhand wide of the court at Ashe Stadium.

The 26-year-old Zvonareva advanced in 1 hour, 53 minutes, despite only striking 10 winners over two sets. The Russian did, however, pile up seven service breaks, compared to four for her Estonian counterpart, who also misfired for nine double faults.

Kanepi also appeared in the Wimbledon quarterfinals in July.

Zvonareva will meet the Caroline Wozniacki-Dominika Cibulkova winner in Friday's semis, while the other final-four bout will pit second-seeded and defending champion Kim Clijsters against third-seeded former titlist Venus Williams. The former world No. 1 Clijsters beat Wozniacki, this year's top seed, in last year's U.S. Open finale, also titled here in 2005, and was the runner-up in 2003. The former top-ranked Williams titled here in 2000 and 2001 and was the runner-up in Flushing in 1997 and 2002.

The feisty Zvonareva, who celebrated a birthday here on Tuesday, will appear in her third career major semifinal. She's now reached the final four in three of her last seven Grand Slam events and is trying to give Russia a third U.S. Open champion in seven years.

Zvonareva lost to Serena Williams in July's Wimbledon finale.

The newest U.S. Open champ will pocket at least $1.7 million.

Wwraceo Tennis Betting News

<< Mets take rubber contest of series with Nats
Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Nick Evans' pinch-hit double in the seventh inning drove in the winning run as New York upended Washington, 3-2, to capture the rubber match of a three-game set. Luis Hernandez went 2-for-4 with a

<< Hamilton QB Glenn among CFL Players of the Week
Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Hamilton quarterback Kevin Glenn, Calgary Stampeders defensive back Brandon Smith and Tiger-Cats linebacker Markeith Knowlton were chosen as the CFL's Players of the Week. Glenn led the Tiger-Cats t

<< Line of Scrimmage: Week 1 - Conspicuous absences
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - When confronted with a media inquiry regarding a team member who is absent due to holdout, injury or suspension, NFL coaches are fond of saying they'd rather talk about the "players that are here." It's s

<< Predators ink Franson
Nashville, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Nashville Predators signed defenseman Cody Franson to a two-year contract worth $1.6 million on Wednesday. The 23-year-old compiled six goals and 21 points in 61 games during his

<< Red Wings bring back Maltby
Detroit, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Detroit Red Wings have signed veteran forward Kirk Maltby to a one-year, two-way contract. No terms of the deal were announced. The 37-year-old Maltby totaled four goals and six points over 52

Warriors sign swingman Carney >>
Oakland, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Golden State Warriors have signed guard/forward Rodney Carney, the team announced Wednesday. No terms of the deal were disclosed. The 26-year-old Carney played in 68 games for Philadelphia

Swisher's HR in ninth boosts Yankees over Orioles >>
Bronx, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Nick Swisher's one-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth lifted the New York Yankees to a 3-2 victory over Baltimore in the finale of a three-game set. Koji Uehara (1-1) began the home

Turkey and Serbia move into semifinals at Worlds >>
Istanbul, Turkey (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ersan Ilyasova poured in 19 points and grabbed five rebounds to lead Turkey to a comfortable 95-68 win over Slovenia in the quarterfinals of the 2010 FIBA World Championship. Turkey will meet Serbia,

Bryans reach fourth U.S. Open final >>
Flushing Meadows, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The top-seeded twin Bryan brothers, Bob and Mike, will play in their fourth men's doubles final at the U.S. Open. The 32-year-old Bryans handled a 12th-seeded Spanish tandem of Tommy Robredo and M

Wolverines safety Emilien to transfer >>
Ann Arbor, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Michigan sophomore safety Vladimir Emilien has asked for his release from the university in order to transfer. The News of Ann Arbor on Wednesday reported that head coach Rich Rodriguez granted the re

Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

Bet on NFL

Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

Bet on NFL

Mysportsbook.com online online sportsbook accepts Visa & Mastercard

MySportsbook.com: New College Football Clock Rules Examined

Coaches and bettors alike are desperate to make sense of the new time-keeping rules on the NCAA gridiron. One of the big stories to come out of the Ohio State-Texas clash last weekend was Texas coach Mack Brown's criticism of the NCAA's new clock rules that are intended to shorten the duration of college football games, therefore affecting college football betting.

"They scored with six minutes left and the game was over before we had a chance to do anything," Brown told ESPN.com. "I really hope whoever made these changes will go back and look them over."

Sure, it might be sour grapes; the Buckeyes thoroughly trounced the defending national champion Longhorns 24-7. However, Brown isn't alone in giving the changes their due thought. Bettors are also wondering about them, albeit for a completely different reason. Most experts agree that the changes will result in games being shortened by anywhere from 10 to 20 plays. The obvious consequence is lower scores, with more time rolling off the clock during changes of possession. (The Ohio State-Texas game flew well under the total of 52.)

According to research at the online sportsbook MySportsbook.com, more than 18 plays a game disappeared last weekend into thin air. That's a 10-percent reduction. In 2005, a typical game had 168.58 plays. For 2007 already, it's down to 150.26.

As a result, teams combined to gain an average of about 100 fewer yards a game last weekend versus the 2005 openers. Scoring was also down by about 4.5 points (attention Las Vegas sports lines).

Of course, oddsmakers were able to adjust to the changes before the season started. Proof of that came as the over went a balanced 8-9 at My Sportsbook on Saturday.

Other angles to consider:A shorter game should theoretically result in shorter lines. Whereas Team A might have been a 14-point favorite in a 168-play game (last year), if there are 10 percent less snaps in 2007, the line should also be reduced by 10 percent (to 13 or 12.5). Of course, this is an over-simplification of the matter, but something to keep in mind.
Less possessions means a better chance the game will be decided by three or seven points. For example, what might have been a 20-10 final score in 2005 may end at

17-10 in 2007. Granted, a 24-17 game last year might end at 21-17 these days, but the former - a three- or seven-point advantage being preserved as opposed to created - is the most likely scenario.

*UPDATE* - Sept. 25, 2007

New Clock Rules Boon for online bookmakers

By adjusting the time-keeping rules to shorten the duration of college football games, the NCAA hoped to make its product more enjoyable for the fans. While the NCAA's success in this regard is still up for debate, bookmakers couldn't be happier with the results.

"We are seeing a massive jump in college football betting," noted the MySportsbook.com management team. "With all the early Saturday games (12 a.m. ET) ending before the second wave begins (3:30 p.m. ET) - something that didn't always happen before the changes - bettors are now able to re-invest their winnings from the morning session in the afternoon games."

While not all bettors will choose to roll over their winnings, it doesn't take much for an impact to be seen on the bottom line. "Not all of the millions of dollars in morning payouts get re-bet. In fact, it's probably only 10 to 20 percent," noted the sportsbook management team. "Still, the increased football betting lines window will create a ton of growth for us over the course of the season."

About MySportsbook.com Sports Casino Poker
Since opening in 1997, MySportsbook.com Sports Casino Poker has been a leader in Internet wagering, providing single account access for sports and casino play. This sportsbook has a revolutionary payment method, Direct Bank Transfer, gives players a faster and more secure transaction option for both deposits and withdrawals. This Internet Sportsbook takes pride in offering an aggressive VIP rewards program, along with seasonal reduced juice specials and high parlay payout odds. MySportsbook.com has set new standards in the sports betting industry, from their fantastic customer service, industry leading bonuses, extensive selection of wager types and props, to the fastest payouts anywhere... MySportsbook.com is America's Sportsbook! Open an account today at MySportsbook.com Sports Casino Poker, or call toll-free 1-866-238-6648

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Master Card needs.