On June 6, 2010, the 66th anniversary of D-Day, Rafael Nadal led a successful invasion of his own.  Nadal defeated Robin Soderling 6-4, 6-2, and 6-4 to win his 5th French Open title.  The King on Clay displayed his wizardry with keen skill and precision; as he picked a part his foe from Sweden.

If anyone had any questions about Nadal’s knees; they should have them no longer.  He moved swiftly and fluently and did not show any signs of ill effect from last years surgery.  There was no doubt that Soderling was playing a different Nadal then the one he surprisingly defeated in the French Open last year.  Nadal never looked better.

Nadal will now be chasing his 6th French Open title so as to tie the record held by Bjorn Borg.  However, that is a year away.  Now he is off to London in pursuit of another achievement; winning his second Wimbledon Championship; which begins on June 21st.  He won his first there in 2008.

Nadal, the Pride of Spain, accomplished something else with his win at the French Open.  He reclaimed the honor of being the #1 ranked tennis player in the world.  All I can say is, “Look out Wimbledon; Nadal is coming.”  Until we meet again; may your betting be better and remember to always be a good sport.

In other sporting news; the Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 2 last night to tie the NBA Finals at 1-1.  Don’t count the old boys out just yet.

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Roger Federer delighted the centre court fans at Wimbledon as he defeated familiar foe Robin Soderling to improve to 11-0 against him in his career.  The last time he beat him was only 3 weeks ago at the French Open where he completed yet another Grand Slam.  Now the 5 time Champion can move onto the quarterfinals in pursuit of number 6.  Federer looked very poised as he never lost a serve and hit 23 aces.  Federer won 6-4, 7-6, 7-6.  The number 2 seed did not have it as easy as he would have hoped but in the end his patience paid off and he was able to advance.

Elsewhere at Wimbledon 5 time ladies Champion Venus Williams defeated Ana Ivanovic when she had to quit due to a left thigh injury.  Her sister Serena Williams moved on as well defeating Daniela Hantuchova 6-3, 6-1.  Serena who is a 2 time Champion lost to sister Venus in the Finals last year.  Number 6 seed Andy Roddick never faced a break point and defeated 20th seed Tomas Berdych 7-6, 6-4, 6-3.  On Wednesday Roddick will face 2002 Champion Lleyton Hewitt who had to come back to beat Radek Stepanek 4-6, 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, and 6-2.

Out of nowhere Ivo Karlovic the 22nd seed eliminated the 7th seed Fernando Verdasco 7-6, 6-7, 6-3, 7-6.  Karlovic who has yet to lose a serve in his first four matches will play Federer on Wednesday.  He had 35 aces against Verdasco he will need that type of day to beat Roger Federer.  Novak Djokovic broke 7 times and outlasted Dudi Sela 6-2, 6-4, 6-1.  Sela is the number 4 seed.  Today was the hottest day thus far in the tournament with  the court temperature around 87 degrees.  It was not long after Federers win that the roof had to be closed at Wimbledon due to rain.

Who will get to the men and ladies final this year?  Will it be Federer and Murray on one side and the two sisters Serena and Venus on the other?  The odds may be in favor of one or the other but this does not always indicate a victor.  Surprising things can occur at Wimbledon and you never quite know what is going to happen.  But I guess that is what makes this tournament so fascinating.  Until we meet again good betting and remember to always be a good sport.

The tennis world was not shocked but a little let down when Rafael Nadal pulled out of Wimbledon due to his knee injury.  Nadal, Spains Pride and Joy, could not bring himself to chance further injury on the grasscourt at Wimbledon and did not want to compete unless he could do so at full strength.  His departure opened the door for the Swiss star Roger Federer to open the competition against Lu Yen-hsun of Taiwan.  Roger acknowledged that it was Nadal who should be opening the competition but took on the honor with great charm as he begins his search for his 15th Grand Slam Title.

Roger was recently crowned the Champion of the French Open.  He became only one of six tennis players to ever complete a career Grand Slam.  There are many British fans who are already anticipating a contest between Roger and thier own Andy Murray on July 5th.  Andy kicks off his Wimbledon competition on Tuesday.

Today Roger Federer kicked off Wimbledon on centre court and although he got off to a slow start eventually cruised by Yen-hsun of Taiwan 7-5, 6-3 and 6-2 respectively.  At the all England Club in London Roger has won 41 of his last 42 matches.  The only loss there came last year when he dropped one in the finals to Rafael Nadal.  Some tennis historians called it the best tennis match ever played.  It is for this reason that is heartbreaking that Nadal could not compete this year.  Many were looking forward to that possible rematch.

Roger failed to convert on his first four break point chances.  Even though he fell behind 3-2 in the first match he regained his composure and took control of the match.  There is no doubt that Roger is favored to win the 2009 Wimbledon but there are a few players like Englands own Andy Murray who will have the opportunity to make their bid for it as well.  In the back of Rogers mind he has to be wondering about his missed rematch against Rafael Nadal as well.  Any true Champion wants to compete against the best in his field so there can never be any unanswered questions or doubts.

The first major seed to be lose at Wimbledon was the American James Blake.  The 17th seed fell early to Andreas Seppi of Italy 7-5, 6-4 and 7-6.  There are no guarantees at Wimbledon.  Every point will have to be earned and there are no givens at any time.  If Roger Federer is destined to win his 15th Grand Slam Title than he will have to play his heart out everytime he walks onto the grasscourt.  Being favored to win is nice but making it happen is what it is all about.  Until we meet again good betting and always remember to be a good sport.

All eyes are on Wimbledon as Rafael Nadal holds the tennis world in suspense while he makes the heart wreching decision if he will participate when the action begins on Monday.  If today play was any sign of things to come don’t hold your breath.  Rafael played Lleyton Hewitt in an exhibition today and lost both sets 6-4 and 6-3.  He is supposed to announce on Friday if his injured knees will allow him to compete.  Todays loss was his first since he dropped one to Roger Soderling in the fourth round of the French Open.  Nadal is riding 7-2 odds if he competes at Wimbledon.  Nadal is due to play another exhibition match against Stanislas Wawrinka on Friday.  He has said he will make his decision after that match.  Nadal was diagnosed with tendinitis last November and missed the Davis Cup soon after.  The mens field at the 2009 Wimbledon is strong with Roger Federer coming in at 2-3 odds looking for no less than his 6th Wimbledon Title and his 15th Major.  Andy Murray has 3-1 odds while Andy Roddick is a 18-1 favorite.  The world and the field will have to wait as one to see what role Nadals knee will play in the outcome.

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Today in Farmington, New York the U.S. Open Golf Tournament got under way.  However, the only thing falling into the holes was rain.  Tiger Woods barely finished his 7th hole when rain postponed the event being held at Bethpage Black Golf Course.  Tiger finished the day at 1over par.

In world soccer the USA took a sound beating by Brazil in the Confederations Cup in Pretoria, South Africa.  The USA team was beaten soundly 3-0 and have proved that they are far from ready to compete in next years World Cup.  The USA is 0-2 in the Confederation Cup and things are not looking like they will get any better.

In the National Football League Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth was suspended indefinately today for driving drunk in Miami and killing a pedestrian.  It is not known if indefinately will mean forever or just until the courts are finished with him.  Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf made it clear today that the future of Brent Farve in a Vikings uniform is up to Farve.  Farve announced on HBO recently that if his arm was ready the Vikings were the only team he has spoke too.  We still may see Farve come out of retirement one more time.  Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Matt Ryan looked pretty darn good as a rookie last year.  His teammates said he will be even better in 2009.  The Cinncinati Bengals Quarterback seems to be back to his old self.  He has not been the same since his knee injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers back in the 2004 playoffs.  With all the coaching changes and player shifts this year should prove to be pretty interesting to say the least.

The action never stops in the world of sports.  The competition only gets better.  This only enhances the games that we the fans pay to enjoy.  Until we meet again remember to always be a good sport.

Here is a look at the respective Online Tennis Odds on the top players at the 2008 French Open, followed by a brief analysis and selection on who will actually win.

May 25-June 3

To Win the 2008 Men’s French Open

Best Bets

Rafael Nadal -175

Roger Federer +350

Novak Djokovic +500

David Ferrer +2000

Mikhail Youzhny +6500

Solid Selections

David Nalbandian +1400

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Analysis: Don’t even bother to drag this pick out since everyone knows that World No. 2 Rafael Nadal is the clear-cut favorite to win this tournament. While you can pick ‘Rafa’ to win the whole thing, I also believe several other players will be big money-makers for online tennis bettors, before eventually bowing out.

Bettors will be looking at a semifinal quartet featuring Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and David Ferrer, who is also the dark horse player to win the entire 2008 French Open tournament.

Mikhail Youzhny, Nikolai Davydenko and another player not on this list, Frenchman, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, are also going to be money-makers for bettors in this tournament, with Tsonga actually having an outside chance to reach the semis.

In the end, The world’s top two players, Federer and Nadal to meet in the finals with ‘Rafa’ going on to win his fourth consecutive French Open title, the only grand slam title he may be capable of winning.

Check all 2008 French Open odds here.

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The quarterfinal tennis odds for the Grand Prix Hassan II are currently available in our Online Tennis Odds. From a strong French contingent competing in Casablanca, Marc Gicquel and Gilles Simon confirmed their berths in the final eight after both won their respective second round encounters. With this last sports betting opportunity to bet on some fine players at BetUS Sportsbook, before the 2008 French Open kicks off next week, here is a look at this all-French affair in the Grand Prix Hassan quarterfinal, complete with tennis odds, online betting lines and free tennis picks.

Grand Prix Hassan II Tennis Betting Line: Marc Gicquel +125 Gilles Simon -165

Match Time: 06:00 AM Eastern Time, Thursday, May 22, 2008

Head-to-head Analysis: Lifetime, Marc Gicquel and Gilles Simon are level 1-1. Gicquel beat Simon way back in 2004 in Metz, France (hard), Meanwhile, Gilles Simon defeated Gicquel last year at the ATP Masters Series in Hamburg.

Marc Gicquel (+125) No. 59 Marc Gicquel has had a quiet season this year, posting a lowly 7-9 mark in tournament play. However, he enjoyed a standout performance in Estoril, where he reached the quarterfinal, losing to Nikolay Davydenko. Moving to the challenger circuit to find his form, he reached the quarterfinal in Bordeaux last week. Gicquel lists hard courts (indoor especially) as his favourite surface.

Gilles Simon (-165) No. 36 Gilles Simon enters with a 15-12 mark for the year. In Hamburg and Rome, Simons reached the second round of both Masters Series events and in Estoril he reached the second round as well. On clay, he owns a 3-3 record. Simon favours hard court surfaces.

Grand Prix Hassan II Tennis Prediction: This matchup is a bit of a derby. Neither player owns a decided surface advantage. Nor has either player enjoyed a particularly exceptional overall season or a clay court swing. However, with this largely considered a warm-up event for the French Open and the playing field significantly weaker compared to last week’s Masters Series in Hamburg, then Simon is the better play. He competed in both events and with more success on the ATP, he should come through as the favourite in this matchup.

Grand Prix Hassan II Tennis Free Picks: Simon in straight sets

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