Berdych thumps Baghdatis for Halle title

Tennis Betting Lines

06/17/2007 - Halle, Germany (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tomas Berdych notched a straight-set victory over Marcos Baghdatis to capture the Gerry Webber Open.

The fourth-seeded Berdych lost just two points on his first serve and posted a 7-5, 6-4 triumph for his first ATP singles crown of 2007. The Czech native was the runner-up last year at this Wimbledon tuneup, losing to grass-court king Roger Federer.

Federer pulled out of this tournament on Monday following his loss to Rafael Nadal in the French Open final, paving the way for a new champion.

Berdych took advantage and didn't lose a set this week on the way to his third career ATP title. He hadn't won a tournament since the Masters event in Paris in 2005.

The eighth-seeded Baghdatis, who was celebrating his 22nd birthday, was trying for his second title of the year. He beat Ivan Ljubicic for the crown in Zagreb in February and also lost a title match later that month to Gilles Simon in Marseille.

Berdych was dominant early Sunday, winning points on each of his first 14 first serves, but still needed to stave off two set points. He eventually held serve in that 10th game to even the first set at 5-5, then went on to win the next two games.

Baghdatis had his serve broken just once in the first set and again just once in the second, but it was enough because the Cypriot was unable to convert any of his three break-point chances in the match.

Berdych, who earned a first prize of $128,000, evened the lifetime series against Baghdatis at one apiece. Baghdatis had won the lone previous meeting between the two, capturing a round of 16 match at last year's Masters event in Indian Wells.

Cowboycasion Tennis Betting News

<< Phillies face Tigers' red-hot Verlander
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Justin Verlander heads to the hill for the first time since throwing a no-hitter as the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies conclude their three-game interleague series today from Citizens Bank Park. On Tue

<< Webb, D-Backs attempt to deal Orioles an eighth straight loss
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The struggling Baltimore Orioles try to end a season-long seven-game losing streak today, when they conclude a three-game interleague set with the Arizona Diamondbacks at Camden Yards. On Saturday, Miguel Montero sing

<< White Sox ready for rubber match with Pirates
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago White Sox take aim at their first series win in almost a month as they take on the Pittsburgh Pirates today in the final contest of a three-game interleague set at PNC Park. On Saturday, Mark Buehrle hu

<< Struggling hurlers match up as Reds, Rangers wrap up set
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A pair of right-handers going through trying seasons will face off when the Cincinnati Reds and Texas Rangers conclude their three-game interleague series today at Great American Ball Park. Bronson Arroyo was an All-

<< Jays try to draw even with potential sweep of Nationals
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Toronto Blue Jays will attempt to reach the .500 mark for the first time since early May as they aim for a three-game sweep of the Washington Nationals today at Rogers Centre. Toronto hasn't been even on the season

Reds place Stanton on disabled list >>
Cincinnati, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cincinnati Reds placed veteran relief pitcher Mike Stanton on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with a strained left hamstring. In 35 games this season, the 39-year-old lefty is 1-2 with a 4.44 earn

Morris tries to bail Giants' out of latest jam in Boston >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Faced with the possibility of a fourth consecutive loss, the San Francisco Giants will once again turn to Matt Morris in this afternoon's finale of a three-game interleague series with the Boston Red Sox from Fe

Good young pitchers to duel in Royals-Marlins finale >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Brian Bannister puts a three-start win streak on the line when he takes the mound for the Kansas City Royals in today's rubber match of a three-game interleague series with the Florida Marlins. Bannister, who was acqu

Struggling Mariners aim to stay afloat in Houston >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Houston Astros haven't swept a three-game series at any time this season. That could change, however, if the disappointing club manages another victory today over the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park. Housto

Brewers vie to bully Twins once again >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A refocused Milwaukee Brewers squad shoots for a fifth consecutive victory and a three-game sweep of the host Minnesota Twins when the teams play their final 2007 encounter this afternoon at the Metrodome. The Bre

MySportsbook.com: NFL draft - The NFC South


In part two of MySportsbook.com’s draft preview, we’ll take a look at a division that was extremely disappointing last season: the NFC South.  Many “experts” predicted the Panthers to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, of course they could not even make the playoffs in an extremely weak NFC.  The Saints definitely made up for the disappointing seasons of their NFC South brethren by exploding out of no where en route to the NFC Championship game.  For the avid NFL gambler, it is imperative to pay attention to the NFL draft.  Although free agency gets a ton of publicity, the successful franchises build their teams around the draft.

1. New Orleans Saints
Who would have thought this time last year that the Saints would be the favorites to win the NFC South for the 2007 campaign?  New Orleans is loaded with firepower on the offensive side of the ball but with the exodus of Joe Horn they will most likely look to draft a WR on Day 1.  Despite having the NFL’s 3rd ranked pass defense last season, the Saints will most likely upgrade their CB’s with one of their first two picks. Other possibilities for the Saints will be TE and DT.  Because of where they will be selecting (27th), the Saints could go the “best available player” route which could net a LB.

Key additions: Eric Johnson TE, Troy Evans LB, David Patten WR
Key loses: Joe Horn WR,
Team needs: CB, WR, TE, LB, DT
Possible draftees: Aaron Ross CB Texas, Darrelle Revis CB Pitt, Ted Ginn Jr. WR OSU, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Chris Houston CB Arkansas, Greg Olsen TE Miami

2. Carolina Panthers
Carolina was one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL last season.  With the signing of David Carr, expect the very first quarterback controversy to come out of Carolina if Jake Delhomme doesn’t rebound quickly from an average 2007 season. With veteran safety Mike Minter getting up there in age, they will look to draft a safety on Day 1 but probably not in the first round.  LB is another need with the loss of Chris Draft to go along with Dan Morgan’s concussion problems.  If TE Greg Olsen is still on the board, he might be too good to pass up despite their needs on the defensive side of the ball.

Key additions: David Carr QB
Key loses: Chris Draft LB
Team needs: LB, TE, S, OT
Possible draftees: Greg Olsen TE Miami, Patrick Willis LB Ole Miss, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Levi Brown OT PSU

3. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were another NFC South team to have a disappointing 2007 season.  The Falcons have been plenty busy during the off season with plenty of players coming and going including a new head coach.  The Falcons were able to improve their draft position with the trade of coveted backup QB Matt Schaub.  High on the list of Day 1 needs will be a defensive end to replace Patrick Kerney and a hard hitting safety since Lawyer Milloy is nearing the end of his career.  With an additional 2nd round pick, the Falcons could attempt to trade up to acquire local product WR Calvin Johnson. 

Key additions: Joey Harrington QB, Toniu Fonoti OG, Joe Horn WR
Key loses: Justin Griffen RB, Patrick Kerney DE, Matt Lehr OG, Ashley Lelie WR, Matt Schaub QB
Team needs: DE, S, OT, WR, DT
Possible draftees: LaRon Landry S LSU, Amobi Okoye DT Louisville, Levi Brown OT PSU, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas, Alan Branch DT Michigan

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age really caught up to the Bucs last season.  The Bucs still have plenty of household names on defense in Ronde Barber, Simeon Rice and Derrick Brooks but the one thing those three have in common is unfortunately age.  It is imperative for the Bucs to get much younger, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Despite having bigger needs on the defensive side of the ball, WR Calvin Johnson is the most likely pick if he is still available when the Bucs pick at the four spot.  This would suit Bucs’ faithful just fine as Johnson is widely considered the top talent in the draft and it is a position of need for the Bucs.

Key additions: Jeff Garcia QB, Kevin Carter DE, Torrie Cox CB, Cato June LB
Key loses: Dewayne White DE, Sean Mahan OG
Team needs: WR, LB, DE, CB (Youth on defense!)
Possible draftees: Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech, Gains Adams DE Clemson, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas

It is never too early to start betting on the NFL. Log on to MySportsbook.com to checkout all of the NFL futures for the upcoming season.  On the clock: the NFC North

Odds to win the NFC South:
New Orleans Saints 8-5
Carolina Panthers 2-1
Atlanta Falcons 12-5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-2    

Odds to win the NFC:
New Orleans Saints 13-2
Carolina Panthers 7-1
Atlanta Falcons 20-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 25-1

Odds to win the Super Bowl:
New Orleans Saints 18-1
Carolina Panthers 20-1
Atlanta Falcons 50-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 75-1

To visit this sportsbook get to MySportsbook.com for all your online sportsbook needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.