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