Nadal, Djokovic, Murray reach third round in Cincy

Tennis Betting Lines

08/18/2010 - Mason, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Top seeds Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic and last week's Canadian Masters titlist Andy Murray were a trio of second-round winners Wednesday at the $3 million Western & Southern Financial Group Masters, a U.S. Open Series event.

The world No. 1 Nadal handled oft-injured American qualifier Taylor Dent 6-2, 7-5, while the second-seeded, but world No. 3, Djokovic doused Serb Viktor Troicki 6-3, 7-5 on the hardcourts at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. Nadal is now 27-3 in ATP Masters 1000 events this year.

Djokovic, who captured his 100th Masters 1000 victory on Wednesday, has lost in the last two finals here, with Roger Federer getting the best of him last year.

The Wimbledon and French Open champion Nadal will face France's Julien Benneteau in the third round here on Thursday, while Djokovic will battle Argentine star David Nalbandian, a titlist in Washington, D.C. two weeks ago. Nalbandian was trailing John Isner 4-5 in the first set on Wednesday when the 6-foot-9 American retired from their match. The hot Nalbandian has now won 13 of his last 14 matches.

A fourth-seeded Murray held off Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 6-7 (3-7), 6-2 in 2 hours, 9 minutes on Day 4 here. January's Aussie Open runner-up to Federer, Murray beat Federer in last week's marquee finale in Toronto and was the Cincy champ in 2008.

Murray will be opposed by talented Latvian Ernests Gulbis on Thursday.

Upsets came when the wild card/surging American Mardy Fish dismissed eighth- seeded Spaniard Fernando Verdasco and Gulbis knocked out 13th-seeded Austrian Jurgen Melzer 6-7 (8-10), 6-3, 7-6 (7-5).

Fish, who has won 13 of his last 14 matches, including titles in Newport and Atlanta, was the Cincinnati runner-up back in 2003.

Tenth-seeded Spaniard David Ferrer avoided an upset by handling American Sam Querrey 7-5, 6-2. Querrey is a four-time champion on the ATP World Tour this season.

In other second-round play, France's Richard Gasquet grounded German Michael Berrer 6-4, 6-2, German Philipp Kohlschreiber got past Colombian qualifier Alejandro Falla 6-0, 1-6, 6-3, and Frenchman Julien Benneteau blitzed Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka 6-4, 6-2.

The 2010 Cincinnati titlist will claim $443,500.

Footvall365 Tennis Betting News

<< Eli Manning will not play Saturday
Newark, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning will not play in Saturday's preseason game against Pittsburgh after leaving Monday's contest against the Jets with a cut on his forehead that require

<< Cubs and Braves complete Derrek Lee trade
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Atlanta Braves have officially acquired first baseman Derrek Lee from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for three pitching prospects. Lee has been bothered by a lower back issue this season and was not

<< Richards, Padres continue to roll in win over Cubs
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Clayton Richard allowed just one run in 6 2/3 strong innings, leading the San Diego Padres to a 5-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs in the third of four games at Wrigley Field. Richard (11-5) yielded seven h

<< Nadal, Djokovic reach third round in Cincy
Mason, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Top seeds Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic were a pair of second-round winners Wednesday at the $3 million Western & Southern Financial Group Masters, a U.S. Open Series event. The world No. 1 Nadal h

<< Wozniacki, Dementieva win second-rounders in Montreal
Montreal, QC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - U.S. Open runner-up Caroline Wozniacki and reigning champion Elena Dementieva were among Wednesday's second-round winners at the $2 million Rogers Cup, a U.S. Open tune-up. The second-seeded Wozniacki snu

Busch grabs pole for Bristol truck race >>
Bristol, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kyle Busch won the pole for Wednesday's O'Reilly 200 Camping World Truck Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway. However, Busch will have to start from the rear of the field after his team repaire

Pisani signs with Blackhawks >>
Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Blackhawks continued to reshape their roster, signing free-agent forward Fernando Pisani. TSN of Canada reported on Wednesday that Pisani was given a one-year deal worth $500,000. A nat

Union files grievance on behalf of Francisco Rodriguez >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Major League Baseball Players Association filed a grievance against the New York Mets and the commissioner's office Wednesday, challenging a decision by the team to place relief pitcher Francis

Braves place Glaus on disabled list >>
Atlanta, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Atlanta Braves have placed infielder Troy Glaus on the 15-day disabled list with a sore left knee. The move comes Wednesday afternoon, shortly after the team acquired veteran first baseman Derre

49ers release veteran WR Jones >>
Santa Clara, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Francisco 49ers have released veteran wide receiver Brandon Jones. The 27-year-old Jones played in eight games for the Niners last season, catching one pass for 18 yards. He missed the

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.