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06/30/2010 - Wimbledon, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Big Czech Tomas Berdych posted the biggest win of his career on Wednesday by surprising six-time champion Roger Federer in four sets in the Wimbledon quarterfinals. Former champion Rafael Nadal avoided an upset to reach the semifinals here for a fourth time.
The 12th-seeded Berdych dismissed the top-seeded and defending champion Federer 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 on Centre Court at the All England Club, where the super Swiss had been 51-1 since 2003.
The amazing Federer appeared in the last seven Wimbledon finals, going 6-1. He beat American Andy Roddick in last year's epic finale, which included a 30- game fifth set, and lost to the current world No. 1 Nadal in one of the greatest tennis matches of all-time here two years ago.
The 24-year-old Berdych will appear in his second straight Grand Slam semifinal, having also turned the trick at the French Open four weeks ago.
After splitting the first two sets on Day 9 here, Berdych took control of the match in the third with thunderous serves and groundstrokes. He got his second break of the stanza to forge ahead 5-1, with a crushing backhand winner, and then held serve to close out the set in seven games.
In the fourth set, Berdych got the key break of the match to go up 4-3 on Federer and then held in the next game with an unreturnable 137 miles-per-hour serve.
Federer held in the next game, but was unable to break Berdych after that, as the tall Czech failed on his first match point when Federer popped a backhand volley winner into an open court, but converted on his second match point with one final forehand winner.
It marked Federer's second straight quarterfinal loss at a Grand Slam, as he endured the same fate at the French Open earlier this month.
After the match, Federer said he was "struggling with some back and leg issues."
This marks Federer's earliest exit here since 2002.
Berdych prevailed in 2 hours, 35 minutes by breaking Federer's formidable serve four times, while the Swiss icon could manage only one break on his very disappointing day. Berdych swatted 12 aces among his 51 winners.
The 6-foot-4 Berdych is now 3-8 lifetime against Federer. The Czech slugger beat the Swiss great at the ATP's Miami Masters event earlier this season and also topped him at the Olympic Summer Games in Athens back in 2004.
Federer bested Berdych in the fourth round here at Wimbledon back in 2006 and had been 4-0 versus the big Czech in Grand Slam competition prior to Wednesday.
Berdych, who's won 13 of his last 14 matches on tour, will face Novak Djokovic in Friday's semifinals.
The 28-year-old Federer, who was the top seed here despite being ranked second behind the French Open champ Nadal, appeared in his eighth straight Wimbledon and 25th straight overall Grand Slam quarterfinal on Wednesday.
The 16-time major champion, who is the reigning Australian Open titlist and was last year's U.S. Open runner-up, was chasing a record-tying seventh Wimbledon championship at this fortnight.
In addition to last year, Federer also conquered this most prestigious of tennis tournaments from 2003-07.
Meanwhile, the second-seeded Nadal started of slow against sixth-seeded Swede Robin Soderling before rebounding for a 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 6-1 decision on Court 1. It marked a rematch of this month's French Open finale, which was won by the powerful Spaniard.
Nadal advanced in 2 hours, 43 minutes by breaking Soderling's big serve five times, compared to three breaks for the Swede. Soderling launched 17 aces, but also piled up 35 unforced errors, 23 more than the victorious Spaniard.
The 24-year-old closed out Soderling on his first match point with an easy forehand winner.
Nadal is now 5-2 lifetime against Soderling, including 4-1 in Grand Slam play. The Spaniard topped the Swede in the third round here at Wimbledon three years ago.
The reigning two-time French Open runner-up Soderling shocked Nadal in the fourth round at Roland Garros last year, as Nadal was the reigning four-time champion in Paris at the time.
The high-flying seven-time major titlist Nadal has won 29 of his last 30 matches on tour, including a fifth French Open title four weeks ago. He captured his lone Wimbledon championship two years ago by beating Federer in their showdown for the ages, and missed last year's tournament because of knee injuries.
Nadal lost to Federer in the 2006 and 2007 Wimbledon finales.
The fiery Nadal will meet the Andy Murray-Jo-Wilfried Tsonga winner on Friday.
The third-seeded Serbian star Djokovic also avoided an upset by pasting upstart Yen-Hsun Lu of Chinese Taipei 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 on Court 1. The 26-year- old Lu shocked the three-time Wimbledon runner-up Roddick here on Monday.
Djokovic cruised in 1 hour, 51 minutes by striking 16 more winners (29-13) and piling up five service breaks while holding his quality serve throughout.
"Nothing is easy these days, especially at this stage of the tournament," Djokovic said. "But the way I played, I deserved to win. I was hitting all the shots and I was really playing very solid from all parts of the court. I'm very, very happy with the performance today."
The steady 23-year-old Djokovic will appear in his eight career major semi (2-5). He was the Aussie Open champ in 2008.
Djokovic reached the Wimbledon semis in 2007, but was forced to retire against Nadal due to a foot injury while trailing in the third set that day.
"This time physically I'm fitter," Djokovic said. "Those were very strange conditions and circumstances. I had to play three very long matches in three days and couldn't hold on in the semifinal. This time everything is in order and I'll give my best."
Djokovic will meet Berdych for a third time, with the Serb taking their first two encounters in straight sets.
<< Blue Jackets claim LW Moreau off waivers
Columbus, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday claimed
left winger Ethan Moreau off waivers from the Edmonton Oilers.
The 34-year-old Moreau had been with the Oilers since the 1998-99 season. The
Edmonton captain fi
<< Wizards acquire Thomas from Union
Kansas City, KS (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia Union traded defender
Shavar Thomas to the Kansas City Wizards for two second-round draft picks in
2011 and 2012, as well as allocation money, the Major League Soccer clubs
announc
<< Serena will lead Thursday's Wimbledon semifinal charge
Wimbledon, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The women's finalists will be
determined here on Thursday, when world No. 1 Serena Williams meets Czech
southpaw Petra Kvitova and 21st-seeded Vera Zvonareva takes on upstart
Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova i
<< Brind'Amour to hold press conference
Raleigh, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Carolina Hurricanes have scheduled a press
conference with Rod Brind'Amour at 2:30 p.m. (et.) at which time the veteran
center is expected to discuss his future with the club.
Brind'Amour, who turns 40 in A
Report: Moss out as Coyotes' president >>
Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The NHL has reportedly fired Douglas Moss as
president of the Phoenix Coyotes.
According to TSN.ca, Moss will be replaced by Mike Nealy, who joined the
Coyotes in 2006 and served as an executive vice
IndyCar gears up for Fourth of July affair at Watkins Glen >>
Watkins Glen, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Series: IZOD IndyCar. Date: Sunday, July
4. Race: Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen. Site: Watkins Glen
International. Track: 3.4-mile, 11-turn road course. Start Time: 3:30 p.m.
(et). Laps: 60. Miles: 204
Clarkson re-ups with Devils >>
Newark, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New Jersey Devils have re-signed right
winger David Clarkson to a multi-year contract.
According to the New York Post, the new deal will pay the 26-year-old
Clarkson $8 million over three year
Get ready for another wild one at Daytona >>
Daytona Beach, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Series: NASCAR Sprint Cup. Date:
Saturday, July 3. Race: Coke Zero 400. Site: Daytona International Speedway.
Track: 2.5-mile tri-oval. Start time: 7:30 p.m. (et). Laps: 160. Miles: 400.
2009 winner: Tony St
BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES
It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.
BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES
All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.
COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES
Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.
TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES
Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.
RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.
PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.
JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.
SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.
VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES
Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.
DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES
Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.
SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES
I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.
BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES
Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.
BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES
Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.
RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES
A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.
PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers
Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.
Huskers' Lucky hospitalized for undisclosed reason
LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraska running back Marlon Lucky was hospitalized Monday for undisclosed reasons after Lincoln police responded to a call at his residence.
The Nebraska athletic department said in a release Monday that Lucky was admitted Sunday night.
MySportsbook.com has the Cornhuskers listed at +2500 to win the BCS National Championship odds.
A nursing supervisor at the hospital said all questions about Lucky were being referred to the athletic department. The athletic department said there would be no further comment from the department or Lucky's family.
A Lincoln Police spokesman said officers responded to a call at Lucky's residence 11:30 p.m. Sunday. The spokesman said he didn't know Lucky's condition at the time he was taken to the hospital.
Lucky, from North Hollywood, Calif., started six games last season as a sophomore and was the team's second-leading rusher, with 728 yards and six touchdowns. He also caught 32 passes for 383 yards. He averaged 19.1 yards on eight kickoff returns.
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