| On Monday, despite not playing (due to injury) in | | | | Flushing; the good news is that as point's leader |
| the US Open Series WTA event in Toronto, Maria | | | | he'll double his runner up prize. Projected Exit: |
| Sharapova became the No. 1 ranked woman on | | | | Finals Runner-up.Rafael Nadal (9/1 US Open odds) |
| the WTA. Tennis' 18-year-old femme fatale | | | | captured his first ever hard court Master Series |
| surged ahead of Lindsey Davenport, however, | | | | by defeating Andre Agassi 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 in the |
| due to her poor showing in US Open Series | | | | finals of the Rogers Cup in Montreal, Canada. |
| tournaments Sharapova won't qualify for the | | | | However, Nadal struggled on the way to his third |
| bonus money offered by the US Open this year. | | | | Masters Series title out of six this year. Nadal is |
| Sharapova, although No. 1 in the world isn't even | | | | tied with Switzerland's Roger Federer as a |
| the women's favorite to win the US Open this | | | | three-time 2005 Masters Series champion. Nadal |
| year, while the women's US Open Series odds | | | | reached the final in Miami, but bowed out to |
| have point's leader Clijsters at 2/1 to win it all.In | | | | Federer in three close sets. While Nadal has |
| 2005, the man and woman who finish first in US | | | | proven that his should be ranked in the top five, |
| Open Series play will compete for double prize | | | | hard court is not his best surface and if he faces |
| money at the US Open-meaning a potential $2.2 | | | | Roddick or Federer in his draw, he'll end up losing |
| million payday at the end of the Flushing fortnight. | | | | a close match. Projected Exit: Semi-Finals.Lleyton |
| Second- and third-place finishers will receive an | | | | Hewitt (13/1 US Open odds) There have been a |
| additional 50 percent and 25 percent, respectively, | | | | dearth of singles titles from the Cannon from |
| of what they otherwise would have won at the | | | | down under. He won the US Open in 2001, and |
| Open.To sweeten the already tasty $1.1 million | | | | last year Hewitt returned to the US Open finals |
| winner's pot at this year's US Open, the US Open | | | | and lost in straight sets to Federer. In Cincinnati |
| Series has initiated 'US Open Bonus Challenge' that | | | | he lost in the Semi-Finals to Roddick in straight |
| links tennis players with the most wins in US Open | | | | sets and he seems like he is having trouble closing |
| Series tournaments to the money they earn at | | | | out top-tier opponents while beating lesser foes. |
| the US Open. Have the lines-makers adjusted the | | | | Unfortunately, the US Open is demanding and |
| US Open odds in this year's tournament to include | | | | perhaps Hewitt has lost a step, in either case he |
| the US Open Series "bonus challenge?"I doubt it. | | | | has been beaten already this year by Safin, |
| Rather it is no coincidence that the favored | | | | Roddick and Federer and I don't see that changing |
| players to win the US Open are actually the | | | | anytime soon for the blond Australian. Projected |
| players who have been playing the best tennis on | | | | Exit: Semi-Finals.Marat Safin (31/1 US Open odds) |
| the hard courts of the US Open Series tour. Since | | | | has already won a slam this year when he beat |
| the US Open is also on hard court the Open | | | | Hewitt at the Australian Open. Perhaps much |
| Series has been a great tour for tuning-up their | | | | more impressive was hi semi-final round when he |
| groundstrokes as the players head into the Open. | | | | played to the brink of exhaustion against the |
| And tune up they have! With 200 players, ten | | | | Swiss Missile Roger Federer and won the grueling |
| tournaments and $2.2 million on the line, the US | | | | five set battle! However, the Australian Open |
| Open Series has been a success as a tour, as well | | | | hangover was rough as he lost in the round of 16 |
| as for television and wagering this year. This is | | | | to Tommy Robredo at the French Open an in the |
| great news for tennis and the tennis wagerarti as | | | | round of 32 at Wimbledon, clay and grass |
| we continue onto Slam season where the winner | | | | surfaces respectively. At the US Open he returns |
| of the 2005 US Open has the potential of earning | | | | to the hard courts - a surface that is well suited |
| $2.2 million, in the US Open Series inaugural 'Bonus | | | | to his mad-Russian style of play. However, Safin |
| Challenge.'While the bonus challenge is a nice hook | | | | looked positively anemic at Cincinnati when he lost |
| to get the marquee players playing on their tour, | | | | in straight sets to Robby Ginepri in the |
| it does not affect the betting odds on the players | | | | quarterfinals. He'll need to be more consistent as |
| at the US Open. Essentially, the 'bonus challenge' | | | | the US Open. Projected Exit: Quarterfinals.Andre |
| gives the bookmakers more information as to | | | | Agassi (26/1 US Open odds) A sentimental |
| how the marquee players play against one | | | | favorite, but unfortunately, he is dead money this |
| another since it is assumed players will gravitate | | | | year. With his best playing days behind him, |
| to the US Open Series tournaments now. | | | | Agassi is looking for one more Grand Slam before |
| However, gamblers looking for an edge should | | | | he retires, but that might prove elusive. Agassi is |
| note that the 'bonus challenge' does not add | | | | still recovering from some nagging injuries that |
| incentive to win for most players this year since a | | | | showed in Montreal a few weeks ago, but you |
| significant portion of the marquee players are not | | | | can never really count out Agassi. However, |
| on the US Open Series leader board and don't | | | | recently his play has shown some wear and tear, |
| have a chance at doubling their money. This | | | | as he has not made a Grand Slam final this year. |
| means they'll have to play for the boring 'old | | | | The 26/1 odds show that the linesmen still |
| school' reasons.For instance, Andy Roddick (120 | | | | respect his play, but realistically Agassi should be |
| points in US Open Series tennis and current points | | | | 50/1 this year at the Open. Projected Exit: Fourth |
| leader) overtook Andre Agassi and clinched the | | | | RoundWomen's 2005 US Open OddsWhen Venus |
| US Open Series title when Roddick fell to Federer | | | | Williams won Wimbledon earlier this year, did she |
| on the hard courts of Cincinnati 3-6, 5-7, last | | | | put women's tennis on notice that the Williams' |
| weekend. Federer's win moved his ranking on the | | | | are back to regain the mantle of dominating |
| US Open Series tour board into fourth place | | | | women's tennis? Not likely, the rest of the ladies |
| behind Roddick with 100 points. Does this mean | | | | have caught up to the Williams stranglehold on |
| that Federer is playing worse than Roddick since | | | | women's tennis, and now the Williams' can no |
| he came in fourth in US Open series play? Not at | | | | longer take for granted the talent and skills that |
| all, it just means Federer has played in fewer US | | | | put them so far ahead of the women on the |
| Open Series tournaments this year.If Roddick | | | | WTA. Certainly, they have what it takes to win |
| loses in the quarterfinals (he won't) at the US | | | | another Grand Slam this year, however, with the |
| Open normally he would earn 135K for his effort, | | | | punishing tennis that Kim Clijsters, Justine |
| but as the US Open Series winner he is eligible to | | | | Henin-Hardenne, Lindsey Davenport and Maria |
| win double that money which doubles his payout | | | | Sharapova have displayed this year, returning to |
| to 270K! Roddick's US Open odds are 7/1 and are | | | | the finals will require that both Williams (especially |
| not predicated on his 120 points in US Open series | | | | Serena) be in better shape and stronger mentally. |
| play, but overall play on the ATP as well. If Agassi | | | | However, far and away the woman playing the |
| as the second place point's leader wins the US | | | | best tennis of her life right now is US Open Series |
| Open this year he will get the $1.1 million plus 50% | | | | winner Kim Clijsters - which is obviously why she |
| or $550,000.Here's the rub. This cash bonus | | | | is the favorite this year.Kim Clijsters (2/1 US |
| incentive only kicks in if you are a top ranked "US | | | | Open odds) Far and away one of the most prolific |
| Open Series" winner. Top ranked ATP players like | | | | US Open Series players is installed as a |
| Lindsey Davenport and Justine Henin-Hardenne are | | | | well-deserved favorite. She tops the leader board |
| not even on the board in the US Open Series this | | | | with 125 with Mary Pierce in second place with |
| year, but are both potential threats to win the US | | | | 100 points. So Clijsters is playing her best tennis |
| Open as well. This means that if Henin-Hardenne | | | | on the US Open Series and has the bonus |
| wins the Women's final this year she would not | | | | incentive if she can get by a minefield of talent to |
| be eligible for the bonus.For the women, Kim | | | | the finals. We think she can and will. $2.2 million is |
| Clijsters has dominated US Open Series play and | | | | eating a cold dish if you ask me. It wouldn't |
| should be considered the favorite to win the US | | | | surprise me to see a rematch of the 2003 Finale |
| Open this year. Her 225 points eclipses her closest | | | | with a different result. In 2003, Henin-Hardenne |
| opponent, Mary Pierce (100 points) by 125 points. | | | | crushed Clijsters 7-5, 6-1. Projected Exit: |
| The third is Ai Sugiyama, hardly the favorite to | | | | Champion.Henin-Hardenne (3/1 US Open odds) the |
| win the US Open this year. So on the women's | | | | former WTA No. 1 came off an injury plagued |
| side the competition is sparse if non-existent. With | | | | 2004 and entered 2005 ranked No. 40 when she |
| her win in Toronto was her third US Open series | | | | played the ATP in Miami when she lost to Maria |
| title this season as Clijsters easily clinched the US | | | | Sharapova. She followed up with a straight set |
| Open Series for the women. She also has been | | | | win in Charleston over Dementieva and moved up |
| playing some great tennis after overcoming a leg | | | | the rankings to 22. In Warsaw, she beat last |
| injury earlier this year. In fact, Clijsters has been | | | | year's US Open Women's Champ Svetlana |
| installed at the 2/1 favorite according to US Open | | | | Kuznetsova in three sets and moved up again to |
| odds.The Bonus Challenge discriminates against | | | | a No. 15 ranking. She won again in Berlin over |
| those who do not play US Open Series | | | | Pedrova and once again put ladies tennis on notice |
| tournaments, naturally. They are looking out for | | | | that the old Henin-Hardenne was back to reclaim |
| their own interests, while rewarding those who | | | | her spot top seeded terminator. She beat Mary |
| play the US Open series and by not exactly | | | | Pierce to claim her first Grand Slam of the year |
| punishing those who do not play in their | | | | with the French Open singles title and moved up |
| tournaments. Essentially a guarantee that no one | | | | to No. 7 in the world rankings. However, despite a |
| from the outside will fall into bonus money, while | | | | first round upset loss at Wimbledon, she moved |
| offering the biggest single purse in individual sports | | | | up to No. 5 in the world. Her nest match at |
| (poker players hold your tongue) to the players | | | | Toronto she lost in the finals to Kim Clijsters to |
| that do.More to the point, tennis' popularity is | | | | move her record in 2005 to 31-3. Henin-Hardenne |
| surging and everyone is looking to capitalize. Why | | | | is looking to return to win her second open in |
| not? The USTA and ESPN announced that the US | | | | three years, however, this time if she meets |
| Open Series featuring both men's and women's | | | | Clijsters in a rematch, take the Belgian to win! |
| tournaments was up 32 percent over the first | | | | Projected Exit: Runner Up.S/V Williams (8/1 US |
| week of ESPN's 2004 coverage. The overall | | | | Open odds) Special Victims Williams? No, but it has |
| program's ratings climbed by 33 percent. Numbers | | | | been three years since Serena beat Venus in the |
| like that can't be ignored. It won't be long before | | | | US Open finals. Considering the sisters' dominance |
| all players will play the US Open Series tour. | | | | here between 1999-2003, it is a surprise we have |
| Remember to win in US Open Series tennis the | | | | seen them. The Williams' sisters are both installed |
| best of three sets is all that is required, while the | | | | at 8/1, much where we have seen their odds in |
| US Open is a murderous best of five sets.A look | | | | the Slams over the last year. Certainly it was |
| at total tennis viewers only reinforces the point | | | | thrilling for Venus to get revenge for sister |
| that tennis' popularity is surging. ESPN2's broadcast | | | | Serena when she trounced Sharapova at the |
| of the men's Mercedes-Benz Cup was up 85 | | | | Ladies Finals at Wimbledon. An example of the |
| percent compared to 2004, with the Sunday | | | | hard court being bluer (are thanks in order to |
| finale attracting 631,000 viewers; 427,000 more | | | | Boise State Broncos?) Serena is generally the |
| viewers as compared to 2004 semifinal. Not only | | | | better of the two on the hard courts. We'll see |
| do the players have a shot at doubling their | | | | what type of shape Serena comes into this Open. |
| money, but will also enjoy national audiences that | | | | Venus is playing excellent tennis but on the hard |
| lacked in the past."For the players, it's obviously a | | | | courts we have to give the edge to their |
| no-lose situation when there's more money at the | | | | opponents. Serena is not ranked in US Open |
| US Open," Davenport responded to the US Open | | | | Series play and Venus is ranked 9th with 35 |
| Series bonus challenge. "I'm looking to play a lot of | | | | points meaning that the sisters will not get a taste |
| tournaments and hopefully do well enough to win | | | | of bonus money this year. Projected Exit: |
| it again. I'd love to get another chance for the | | | | Semi-Finals.Maria Sharapova (5/1 US Open odds) |
| extra million-dollar prize."But the chance won't | | | | just moved into No. 1 on the WTA but is tied for |
| come this year for Davenport and many other | | | | twentieth place with 12 points on the US Open |
| top ranked marquee players on both sides of the | | | | Series points so if she wins the US Open she will |
| gender since they are not on top of US Open | | | | not get a morsel of the bonus challenge and will |
| Series leader board going into the US Open this | | | | have to settle for the $1.1 million purse. |
| year. The fact that Davenport is 12/1 to win the | | | | Sharapova has been installed at 5-1 to win the |
| Women's US Open has nothing do with her | | | | title, and initially you have to like her odds to win |
| standings in US Open Series, but rather in the law | | | | on the hard court if she doesn't have to meet |
| of diminishing returns-literally.Men's US Open Odds | | | | the Williams' or the Belgian's. However, looking at |
| There has not been a repeat US Open champ | | | | her record in Grand Slam play this year, we see |
| since 1997-98 when Australian Patrick Rafter | | | | why the No. 1 women's player is not the favorite. |
| captured the singles titles at back to back US | | | | Following her semi-final and quarterfinal losses at |
| Open's. This year Roger Federer defends his title | | | | the Australian Open and French Open |
| as he tries to win his second Grand Slam this | | | | respectively, she lost in the semi-finals at |
| year. We will most likely see a rematch of the | | | | Wimbledon (as defending Champ) to Venus |
| Cincinnati Open (and Wimbledon Gentlemen's Final) | | | | Williams. If she is ahead of her opponents then |
| with Andy Roddick playing against Roger Federer | | | | she usually wins, however, as we saw in Grand |
| with the same result.In our US Open Bonus | | | | Slam play, when she gets behind her opponents |
| Challenge edition we'll not only look at who is likely | | | | she becomes a bit mentally unstable and has been |
| to win the US Open on the men's and women's | | | | unable to pull the mental fortitude to overcome a |
| sides, but also we will look at how these players | | | | crucial service break or two. At Wimbledon, she |
| rate on the US Open Bonus Challenge. Meaning, will | | | | had not lost a break of serve until she met |
| anyone really have a shot at the $2.2 million. Short | | | | Venus and once Sharapova was broken she all |
| answer: sure, if your name is Roddick or | | | | but fell apart. She'll need to stay ahead of her |
| Clijsters.Roger Federer (1/1.3 US Open odds) has | | | | opponents if she does not want another early |
| been number one on the ATP for an astounding | | | | exit at the US Open. Projected Exit: |
| 81 consecutive weeks but you won't find him | | | | Semi-Finals.Lindsey Davenport (12/1 US Open |
| near the points leader of the US Open Series. | | | | odds) Believe it or not, Davenport's last US Open |
| There was a slight chink in the Swiss armor at | | | | singles title was in 1998 when she beat Martina |
| Cincinnati as Federer survived a semi-final scare | | | | Hingis in 1998. After the lengthy Wimbledon final's |
| against Robert Ginepri. Now Federer looks to | | | | loss to Venus Williams this year, Davenport has |
| continue his dominance in all things tennis. I | | | | had a difficult July to say the least. As defending |
| wouldn't bet against the defending champ, and this | | | | champion and top seed at Stanford she retired in |
| is a great price. However, it won't be easy at | | | | 2r match against Groenefeld due to low back |
| times since there are several cannons capable of | | | | strain. She was also forced to miss scheduled trip |
| winning the US Open this year. However, if you | | | | to San Diego and Los Angeles where she was |
| can lay less than two dollars on Federer you | | | | also defending champion at both events. |
| should consider this one of the best deals in | | | | Davenport Reached third career final at |
| sports investment this year. Projected Exit: | | | | Wimbledon as No.1 seed, losing to No.14 seed |
| Champion.Field (3/1 US Open odds) A Dead | | | | V.Williams in championship match, 46 76(4) 97; |
| money bet if I have ever seen one. Perhaps even | | | | match (2 hours, 45 min.) on the way to her |
| deader money than the Impaler playing in the | | | | Wimbledon final she had defeated No.15 seed |
| WPT at the Bike this weekend against the | | | | Clijsters (who was injured if you remember), No.5 |
| Legends of Poker. The field line is set to separate | | | | Kuznetsova (2004 US Open defending champ) |
| you from your bankroll. Field does not mean | | | | and No.3 seed Mauresmo. However, with lingering |
| Federer, Nadal, or Roddick so how can this wager | | | | injuries and a boatload of questions, we don't see |
| cash?Andy Roddick (7/1 US Open odds), the | | | | the tall Davenport going deeply into the brackets |
| winner of the US Open Series and the No. 3 | | | | this year. Projected Exit: Third Round.The US |
| ranked player in the world, has accumulated 120 | | | | Open series is offering an exciting challenge to the |
| points so far this year in the US Open Series, but | | | | players by saying, if you play on our tour and do |
| was forced to withdraw from the 2005 | | | | well (top three spots) and then play in the US |
| Mercedes-Benz Cup presented by Countrywide | | | | Open and finish in the money; we'll double your |
| due to soreness in his right knee. It did not look | | | | money. While the "US Open Series Bonus |
| like Roddick suffered too much from his injury in | | | | Challenge" might affect the motivations of the |
| the final against Federer. Despite his loss to | | | | four likely finalists who play on the US Open |
| Federer he won the US Open Series this year | | | | Series Tour, the bonus challenge does not affect |
| and looks to double his money at the US Open | | | | the future odds on players in this Grand Slam, but |
| and capture his second US Open in three years, | | | | will definitely influence how the marquee players |
| but that will be difficult indeed. In 2003, Roddick | | | | view US Open Series tournaments next year; as |
| beat Ferrero in straight sets. Since Roddick is | | | | a must play.Doc's Sports Recent Articles:NFL |
| eligible for the $2.2 million bonus package, Roddick | | | | Holdouts2005 NFL rookies2005 WAC |
| might have the added incentive when he meets | | | | previewDoc's Sports Handicapping Service |
| Federer in the finals. However, the main problem | | | | |
| with laying 7-1 is that you have to absolutely | | | | 1-866-238-6696Since 1971 Doc's Sports has been |
| believe that Federer can be beaten in a Grand | | | | recognized as one of the leaders and most |
| Slam final. Federer has never lost a Grand Slam | | | | trusted names in sports handicapping information. |
| final. The bad news is that Roddick won't win in | | | | |