Top-seed Ivanovic falls at Wimbledon
Tennis Betting Lines
06/27/2008 -
Wimbledon, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jie Zheng of China stunned top-seeded
Serbian Ana Ivanovic, while Americans Serena Williams and Bethanie Mattek
advanced in third-round action at Wimbledon on Friday.
Zheng, ranked No. 133 in the world, jumped all over Ivanovic in the first set
and held on from there to win 6-1, 6-4.
"She's a good player and she plays well on grass," Ivanovic said of Zheng.
"She has very powerful shot. She stays very low, so the balls are coming much
faster through the air. I had a little bit of a tough time to adjust to the
balls with the timing. It was also a little bit windy. I think grass suits
very well with her."
The world No. 1 Ivanovic had also struggled earlier in the week, barely
surviving her second-round match against France's Nathalie Dechy here on
Wednesday.
The 24-year-old Zheng missed Wimelbdon last year due to an ankle injury and it
also marked the earliest exit by a top-ranked player at the All England Club
since Martina Hingis faltered in the opening round in 2001.
"I'm excited," Zheng said. "Last year I'm injured for my ankle, I missed
Wimbledon. Now, I just came back for half the year. I can play like this.
I'm very surprised."
The sixth-seeded Williams, a two-time Wimbledon champion, edged 29th-seeded
Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo in a hard-fought first set before dominating
things in the second frame to win 7-6 (7-5), 6-1.
Meanwhile, Mattek stunned 11th-seeded Marion Bartoli of France, the 2007
Wimbledon runner-up, in straight sets, 6-4, 6-1. Bartoli needed a medical time
out for a stiff shoulder late in the first set and never recovered.
Next up for Mattek is Williams.
"I've played her before. Venus has played her before," Williams said of
Mattek. "I think it was a while ago, but I remember she gave me a good match.
I thought, it's good to see some more American players playing well."
After rain forced play to be delayed for 90 minutes in the morning, fourth-
seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova and No. 8 Anna Chakvetadze of Russia both
moved on in straight sets. The U.S. Open runner-up Kuznetsova dispensed of
Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of the Czech Republic, 6-2, 6-4, while Chakvetadze
downed countrywoman Evgeniya Rodina, 6-4, 6-3, at the All England Club.
In other action, 14th-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland waltzed by Russian
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, 6-3, 6-2; No. 15 Agnes Szavay of Hungary outlasted
Spaniard Anabel Medina Garrigues, 7-6 (7-5), 2-6, 6-2; and 18th-seeded Czech
Nicole Vaidisova cruised to a 6-2, 6-4 win over Casey Dellacqua of Australia.
The third round will conclude Saturday for the women, with the day highlighted
by second-seeded Serbian Jelena Jankovic taking on 31st seed Caroline
Wozniacki of Denmark. Jankovic, still seeking that elusive first-ever trip
into a Grand Slam final, will be first up on Centre Court.
The seventh-seeded Venus Williams, the defending titlist and four-time winner,
will face Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez of Spain. Fifth seed Elena Dementieva of
Russia faces Argentina's Gisela Dulko.
<< Points, McCarthy share lead at Gretzky's Nationwide event
Clarksburg, Ontario (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - D.A. Points fired a 10-under 62, while
Kyle McCarthy carded a seven-under 65 to join Points in the lead after two
rounds of the Wayne Gretzky Classic.
The duo completed 36 holes at 12-under-par 131
<< Kanaan quickest at RIR
Richmond, VA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tony Kanaan won the pole for Saturday night's
SunTrust Indy Challenge at the Richmond International Raceway. The No.11
Andretti Green Racing driver circled the 0.750-mile short track four times in
one minute, 04.
<< Buffalo RB Lynch loses license in hit-and-run case
Buffalo, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Buffalo running back Marshawn Lynch's guilty
plea to his involvement in a May 31 hit-and-run accident was accepted on
Friday. Lynch lost his driver's license and was fined the maximum of $100.
In the
<< Padres sign Tomko
San Diego, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Diego Padres signed pitcher
Brett Tomko to a Major League contract Friday, one week after his release from
the Kansas City Royals.
The journeyman right-hander had been designated for assign
<< Bulls take Rose with top pick
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Bulls fulfilled Derrick Rose's
childhood dream as the point guard became the first pick in the 2008 NBA Draft
and will play for his hometown team.
The Chicago native helped lead the Memphis Ti
Federer cruises, Ferrer falls in third round at Wimbledon >>
Wimbledon, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Five-time champion Roger Federer won
his third-round match in straight sets at Wimbledon on Friday, while fifth-
seeded David Ferrer fell out of the tournament.
After rain forced play to be del
D-backs P Owings leaves early >>
Miami, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Arizona starter Micah Owings left Friday's 3-1
loss to the Marlins in the fifth inning with an apparent leg injury.
The right-hander appeared to hurt his leg while covering first on a Mike
Jacobs ground
Jurrjens leads Braves to blanking of Blue Jays >>
Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jair Jurrjens was brilliant over eight shutout
innings, while Mark Teixeira provided the power with three runs batted in as
the Atlanta Braves topped the Toronto Blue Jays, 4-0, in the opener of a
three-g
Three share ATB Financial Classic lead >>
Calgary, Alberta (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Dustin Risdon fired a nine-under 64 Friday
to move into a share of the lead after two rounds of the ATB Financial Classic
at Cottonwood Golf and Country Club.
He was joined at 13-under-par 129 by Eugene S
Rays 1B Pena returns to lineup >>
Pittsburgh, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Tampa Bay Rays recalled first baseman
Carlos Pena from the 15-day disabled list Friday, in time for the club's
10-5 drubbing of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Pena, who has been out since June 3 with
Brandon Roy Favorite to Win 2007 NBA Rookie of the Year
Portland TrailBlazer’s guard, Brandon Roy, is MySportsbook.com’s overwhelming favorite to win the NBA Rookie of the Year odds.
Despite missing 20 games due to an injury earlier this season, Roy has definitely put up the best numbers of his 1st year peers. In 32 games, Roy is averaging 15.3 PPG, 4.2 boards and 3.5 assists in over 33 minutes of play per game. While most rookies breakdown as the season progresses (see Morrison), Roy is only getting stronger as his playing time and scoring average has increased each month.
With 30 or so games left in the regular season, Roy isn’t a lock for the award by any means. Other rookies are putting together some pretty impressive campaigns and a few could give Roy a run for the award with increased playing time. Heading the list is first pick, Andrea Bargnani of the Toronto Raptors. Even though he has started only two games all season, Bargnani is averaging 10.3 PPPG while shooting 35% from deep.
Randy Foye of the Minnesota Timberwolves could be set to give Roy the best competition NBA Rookie of the Year lines. With the benching of Mike James, Foye looks like he could be the starter in the T-Wolves backcourt for the rest of the season. So far, Foye has averaged 9 PPG and 2.4 assists in just under 21 minutes per game. With his new role of starter, Foye’s numbers will definitely increase. In his first game as the new starting guard this past Sunday, Foye had 10 points; five rebounds and 8 assists. More importantly, he logged 34 minutes of playing time; his third highest run of the season.
Adam Morrison, of the Charlotte Bobcats, was the favorite early on in the season after averaging 15+ PPG through the first month of the season. Ever since his torrid start, Morrison’s point production has declined each month. This really isn’t surprising, considering at 6’8” he only weighs 205 lbs. Obviously he will need to hit the weights big time during the off-season in order to keep from breaking down in the future.
Be sure to log on to MySportsbook.com to bet on the NBA. With the regular season about to hit the homestretch, it is important to point out that MySportsbook.com has the highest credit card acceptance rate in the industry.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.
|
