Kvitova, Sharapova reach QFs; Serena shocked at Aussie Open
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01/23/2012 -
Melbourne, Australia (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and
former Melbourne titlist Maria Sharapova reached the quarterfinals, while
five-time titlist Serena Williams was a stunning fourth-round upset victim
Monday at the Australian Open.
An error-prone Williams was knocked out by Russian Ekaterina Makarova 6-2, 6-3
on Day 8 of the fortnight.
The 12th-seeded Williams misfired for 37 unforced errors and double-faulted
seven times in her 82-minute setback at Rod Laver Arena.
"I'm not physically 100 percent, so I can't be so angry at myself, even though
I'm very unhappy," said Williams, who suffered an ankle injury a few weeks
ago. "I know that I can play a hundred times better than I did this whole
tournament."
The 23-year-old Makarova will now appear in her first-ever major quarterfinal,
and it will come against her compatriot Sharapova on Wednesday.
Barely able to get her first serve in half the time, Williams tallied 20 of
her errors and four of her double faults in the second set.
"She went for broke on a lot of her shots. I made 37 errors," Williams said.
"That kind of tells the story of the match."
Makarova called Williams "a great player" and said she was surprised to beat
her.
"It's really tough to play against her," Makarova said. "But, I don't know, I
just feel so good and so focused. So I played my game, and that's it. I won
against Serena. That's amazing."
Williams owns 13 major titles, including five here in Melbourne. She was
riding a 17-match winning streak here, having captured back-to-back titles in
2009 and 2010 before missing last year's Grand Slam of the Pacific because of
health reasons.
Meanwhile, the second-seeded Czech Kvitova continued her winning ways with a
6-2, 7-6 (7-2) straight-set win over 21st-seeded former world No. 1 Ana
Ivanovic of Serbia. The match ended in 85 minutes at Laver.
The former French Open champion Ivanovic was the 2008 Aussie runner-up to
Sharapova.
The 21-year-old Kvitova, who beat Sharapova in last year's Wimbledon finale
and is also the reigning WTA Championships titlist, fired seven aces among her
30 winners, converting three of her six break points, and moved on to face
Italian Sara Errani, who cooled off Chinese Zheng Jie 6-2, 6-1. Zheng had won
her first eight matches of 2012, including a title in Auckland to open her
season.
The women's quarters will commence Tuesday, as top-seeded Caroline Wozniacki
will meet 11th-seeded reigning Aussie Open champ Kim Clijsters and third-
seeded Victoria Azarenka will encounter eighth-seeded Pole Agnieszka
Radwanska.
The former world No. 1 Clijsters is 2-0 lifetime against Wozniacki, as the
Belgian bested the Dane in the 2009 U.S. Open final and the 2010 Tour
Championships title tilt.
Azarenka is 6-3 versus Radwanska, including a victory in a semifinal in Sydney
two weeks ago. The Belarusian went on to title in Sydney.
Clijsters beat Chinese Li Na in last year's finale to capture her first-ever
Aussie title and fourth Grand Slam championship.
<< Serena Williams upset at Australian Open
Melbourne, Australia (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Error-prone American Serena Williams
was upset Monday at the Australian Open, knocked out in a straight-set loss to
Ekaterina Makarova in the fourth round.
Williams, the No. 12 seed, hit 37 unfor
<< Hibbert, Pacers hand Lakers 3rd straight loss
Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kobe Bryant caught Roy Hibbert with an
elbow, breaking the Pacers center's nose.
"He didn't mean to do it," Hibbert said -- and apparently it wasn't broken
enough.
Hibbert scored all of his 1
<< Giants top 49ers on FG in OT, win NFC title
San Francisco, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - For the second time in five seasons, New
York Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes got a chance to win the NFC Championship in
overtime.
He's 2-for-2.
The extra minutes at Candlestick Park provided a cruel
<< Ducks open up big lead, hang on late to down Avs
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Bobby Ryan had two goals and Jonas Hiller made
43 saves, as the surging Anaheim Ducks held off the Colorado Avalanche, 3-2.
Ryan Getzlaf had a goal and an assist for the Ducks, who have won five in a
row f
<< Forsman cruises to win at Mitsubishi Championship
Kaupulehu-Kona, HI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Dan Forsman carded a three-under 69
Sunday to earn an easy two-stroke win over Jay Don Blake at the Mitsubishi
Electric Championship.
Forsman got up and down for birdie on No. 14 to push his lead to thre
Characteristics of a Kentucky Derby Winner >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - For the longest time, thoroughbreds raced
four, five, even six times in their three-year-old season prior to the
Kentucky Derby. The norm these days is just two or three with the races spaced
out a m
Djokovic, Murray land in Aussie quarters >>
Melbourne, Australia (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Reigning champion Novak Djokovic and
Andy Murray, who lost in the last two finals in Melbourne, were a pair of
fourth-round winners Monday at the Australian Open.
The world No. 1 Djokovic was
Chicago hopes to remain Bull-ish at home vs. Nets >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The banged-up Chicago Bulls look to stay perfect at home
when they entertain the New Jersey Nets tonight from the United Center.
The Bulls have been plagued by injuries this season and reigning MVP Derrick
Rose is one of t
Spurs seek road success in NOLA >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - San Antonio's struggles on the road this season have been
well documented and the team hopes to change that perspective tonight against
the New Orleans Hornets in the Big Easy.
The Spurs are just 1-6 away from the Alamo Ci
Short-handed Mavs host surging Suns >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Reigning NBA Finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki is battling a sore
right knee and will need some time off to get back to last season's
championship form.
The Dallas Mavericks were able to win without him Saturday in New Orleans and
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After all the trouble that’s ensued since Braylon Edwards allegedly punched one of LeBron James’ homeboys in the face at a club, the Cleveland Browns have sent away their last remaining player of worth to the New York Jets. This is a great move for Dirty Sanchez and all, but it’s even better for the Knicks. Now Donnie Walsh can say, “You get to haunt Braylon Edwards with your posse if you sign here!” next summer.
Putting that aside for a moment, the move is a clear indication that the new-look Jets are gunning for the Super Bowl this year. I don’t think that New York thought that Dirty Sanchez was going to be such a rock star. With a 75.2 passer rating that was killed against the Jets, Sanchez is doing an admirable job of managing games and putting the Jets in a position to win. The defense has been the major story in New York thus far, but the acquisition of Braylon Edwards makes this offense loaded with talent that can dent any defense…as long as Dirty Sanchez continues his meteoric rise.
Thus far, Edwards has been a non-factor in the NFL piling up just 139 receiving yards on 10 catches. He has yet to find the endzone, and with the Browns mired in the most unsexy quarterback controversy of all time (Anderson vs. Quinn...yawn), there going nowhere fast. Edwards is two seasons removed from a career year which saw him catch 80 passes for 1,289 yards and 16 touchdowns when the Browns were the spread killing monsters of 2007. In 2008, injuries slowed the receiver down to just 873 yards and three touchdowns though he played in all 16 games.
So that being said, we really don’t know if Braylon Edwards is just a flash in the pan, or a legit threat. At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, he is a prototypical receiver. But he’s also shown a strange, and unwarranted, talent for dropping passes. Lining up opposite Jericho Cotchery, a speed demon with 23 catches, 356 yards and a single touchdown, may give Braylon the open looks he needs. A change of scenery may also rejuvenate the star receiver.
In return, the Browns will receive Chansi Stuckey, online football betting a special teams player you’ve never heard of and a pair of draft picks. That’s a tall order for a guy whose only real value right now is in his name, and it shows no promise to the Browns that they can rebuild around those acquisitions. Braylon was the only reason to hope for the Browns to go 3-14 SU this year. Without him, they don’t have a single guy on offense that can scare any team.
For the Jets, it’s a response to the pounding that they took at the hand of the Saints. Thomas Jones and Leon Washington have averaged around 4.0 yards per carry each on the ground, but striking a fair balance between the passing and rushing attacks in New York has been a struggle. You have to believe that the trio of Dustin Keller, Jericho Cotchery and Braylon Edwards will give Sanchez the weapons he needs to unleash through the air. Theoretically, that would open up holes for the rushing game. But the proposed public option health care plan works in theory too. We need to see the proof in the pudding before we start loading up mega bucks on the New York Jets to take the AFC.
The one wrinkle in this whole thing is that Braylon could very well be suspended by the league for disciplinary action due to his “brawl” with LeBron’s friend. If that’s the case, the Jets may have to bench him for a few games leaving them with a somewhat depleted receiving corps for a few games. Also, this is a guy who gets in fights with people at clubs. New York may not be the best place for him. Just sayin’.
The Jets have a long week before they meet the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football Betting in a virtual pick ‘em game. Braylon’s excess baggage may be a distraction, and his curiously low production may be what we should be expecting of him overall, but for the Jets, taking a chance to strike gold is well worth it. At the end of the year, they can simply just blame it on their rookie quarterback.
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Problem with Bears?
Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.
"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."
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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.
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Bonds nearly hits HR 751, SF wins
4 and drove in
a pair of runs, and Barry Bonds nearly hit homer No. 751 as San Francisco beat
1, in the middle contest of three at AT&T Park.
6) allowed five hits and one run over 6 2/3 innings, fanning
eight and walking three.
game slide.
Bonds, who came within five homers of Hank Aaron's record on Friday, went
1 with three walks, an RBI double and scored twice. The double ...
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