Berdych, Stepanek give Czechs 2-0 lead

Tennis Betting Lines

02/10/2012 - Ostrava, Czech Republic (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - World No. 7 Tomas Berdych and countryman Radek Stepanek gave the Czech Republic a 2-0 lead in Friday's opening singles rubbers against visiting Italy.

Bolstered by a 90 percent first-serve percentage (61-of-68), Berdych, 26, defeated 26-year-old Simone Bolelli 6-3, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 on the indoor hardcourt at CEZ Arena.

Prior to Berdych taking the court, Stepanek faced top Italian Andreas Seppi. Seppi fought hard but could not outlast Stepanek, a former world No. 8, who won 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in a grueling three hour, 50 minute match.

The best-of-five tie continues Saturday with a doubles match between the Czech team of Frantisek Cermak and Lukas Rosol against Italians Daniele Bracciali and Potito Starace. If the Czechs fail to close out the tie on Saturday, Berdych will face Seppi on Sunday followed by Stepanek versus Bolelli if necessary.

The Czechs, who are 7-3 all-time against Italy, and the Italians each own one Davis Cup championship.

The winner in Ostrava will face the Serbia-Sweden victor in the quarterfinals in April.

Sportcasinogamble Tennis Betting News

<< Cardinals sign P Linebrink
St. Louis, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The St. Louis Cardinals have signed pitcher Scott Linebrink to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. Linebrink pitched for Atlanta last season and went 4-4 with a 3.64 earne

<< Barcelona hopes to heap pressure on Madrid
Navarra, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Barcelona, by its high standards, is sailing in chartered La Liga territory this season. The Catalans have exhibited a certain level of dominance in Spain's top flight over the past few seasons, claiming thr

<< Pavin grabs early lead in Boca Raton
Boca Raton, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Corey Pavin fired an eight-under 64 Friday to grab a two-stroke lead after the opening round of the Allianz Championship. Pavin, the 2010 U.S. Ryder Cup captain, is in his third season on the Champions Tour,

<< Orioles ink veteran P Ayala
Baltimore, MD (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Baltimore Orioles signed veteran reliever Luis Ayala to a one-year contract on Friday. The right-hander's deal includes a club option for 2013. Ayala, 34, is familiar with the American Leagu

<< 49ers extend GM Baalke
Santa Clara, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Francisco 49ers have extended the contract of general manager Trent Baalke through 2016. 49ers president and CEO Jed York announced the move via his Twitter account on Friday. Baalke, who was

Jackets place Lebda, Methot on IR >>
Columbus, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Columbus Blue Jackets placed defensemen Brett Lebda and Marc Methot on injured reserve Friday. Lebda was signed by Columbus on January 19, and has picked up one goal in five games since. M

Wi leads by 3 at Pebble Beach; Tiger falls six back >>
Pebble Beach, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Charlie Wi carded a three-under 69 on Friday at Pebble Beach to take a three-stroke lead after two rounds of the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Wi, who was one of three first-round leaders, finis

NHL fines Lightning F Moore >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The National Hockey League fined Tampa Bay Lightning forward Dominic Moore $2,500 on Friday. The fine stems from an interference play to New Your Rangers forward Ruslan Fedotenko on Thursday. The in

Hawaii reinstates Wiseman >>
Honolulu, HI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The University of Hawaii announced on Friday that sophomore forward Trevor Wiseman has been reinstated to the team. Wiseman was suspended indefinitely by the team on Monday and missed the Rainbow Warr

No. 25 Harvard holds off Penn >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kyle Casey and reserve Corbin Miller scored 17 points apiece to help No. 25 Harvard stay undefeated in Ivy League play with a 56-50 victory over Penn at The Palestra. Oliver McNally had eight poi

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.