In the tennis world Roger Federer became a proud father of twins last month and to sweeten his life a little more he won the Cinncinati Masters on Sunday beating Novak Djokovic 6-1 and 7-5. It was Federer’s first win as a father and it choked him up a bit. Next week he will play in the U.S. Open which he has won the last 5 tournaments. He looks confident enough to make it number 6.

The NFL Preseason is well under way and in Philadelphia Michael Vick seems ready to step on the field this coming Thursday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Vick, the former QB for the Atlanta Falcons just finished a prison sentence for association with dog fighting. The Eagles have given him a chance to prove he is a changed man and can still deliver a peak performance. In other NFL news it is true that it is only preseason but this is the time to test the veterans and the rookies to see what they can bring to the table.

You cannot help but be curious as to how some of the big trades will work out over the past off season. Jay Cutler, the former Denver QB was traded to the Chicago Bears. Jay Cutler looked pretty good over the weekend as Chicago defeated the New York Giants 17-3.

Chicago is my pick to win the NFC Central as long as they stay healthy. Cutler is the missing ingredient this team has needed for years. Chad Pennington was traded to the Miami Dolphins last year from the New York Jets when they signed Brett Farve for one season.

Pennington lead the Dolphins from a 1-15 season the previous year to a 11-5 record. Then he stumbled in the playoffs against the Baltimore Ravens throwing 4 interceptions. Chad knows he cannot make that mistake again this year. He knows this may be his last chance. The Ravens take on the New York Jets tonight on Monday Night Football.

In NCAA Football the Associated Press released their preseason top 25 and Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators were at the top of the list. The Gators have a relatively easy schedule and they should do well. The Gators received 58 out of 60 votes for number one. No other team has ever done that in the preseason 25 poll. Texas, Oklahoma, USC and Alabama rounded out the top 5. Ten preseason number ones have won the National Championship in the past, perhaps Florida will be number 11. It is going to be an exciting college season for sure.

There will be some very competitive games, you can bet on that. Until we meet again may your betting be better and remember to always be a good sport.

Remember also to catch up on the latest game odds at Betus.com!

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.

The Sportsbook Gazette Weekly Sports Roundup is here. We will take this opportunity once a week to offer a complete overview of the latest sports news all in one article for the sports enthusiast who desires the whole scoop and nothing but the scoop all on one page. Lets take a look at the world of sports today.

NFL

In the National Football League the rumors are still flying about Brent Farve and his possible escape from retirement to quarterback the Minnesota Vikings. The jury is still out as to how much juice Farve still has and the options he could actually bring to the Vikings offense. The Vikings already have a great defense and one of the best running backs in the NFL in Adrian Peterson. All Farve would have to do is control the game and the Vikings could be a serious contender this year. But the potential of Farve coming out of retirement seems slim at this point. Nor the Vikings or Farve are willing to admit Farve is a possibility in Minnesota. More on NFL Betting!

NBA Finals

The NBA Finals tipped off Thursday night in Los Angeles between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Orlando Magic. The bottom line is simple. The Lakers came to Staples Arena hungry to play and the Magic did not. Dwight Howard the ‘off center’ center for Orlando could only put together a 12 -point outing and the Magic shot a dismal 30% from the floor. Orlando failed to get defensive rebounds because they couldn’t get close enough to the basket. Kobe Bryant of the Lakers scored 40 explosive points the most ever by him in a finals game. Bryant was hungry enough for both teams as he did his best to ward off the demons from last years finals when the Lakers lost to the Celtics. The Los Angeles Lakers dominated the Magic in game 1 winning 100-75. The Magic were well aware of their shortcomings Thursday night. Only game 2 will tell if they made the proper adjustments. More on NBA Betting!

Stanley Cup Finals

If you had already counted the Pittsburgh Penguins out of the Stanley Cup Finals you better think again. They approached game 4 in Pittsburgh faced with the possibility of allowing the Detroit Red Wings to go back home with a 3-1 advantage in the race for the Stanley Cup.

The Red Wings jumped out to a 2-1 lead and it seemed evident that this series was heading down the same road as last year when the Red Wings defeated the Penguins in 6 games. Just when all seemed hopeless the Penguins caught fire and scored 3 points over a five and a half minute stretch. The Red Wings never recuperated and Pittsburgh hailed victorious 4-2. With the series now tied 2-2 and going back to Joe Louis Arena in Detroit on Saturday night for game 5 the odds are changing like a woman’s mind. The Stanley Cup is definitely still up for grabs. More on NHL Betting!

French Open Final

Roger Federer needs only to beat Robin Soderling of Sweden on Sunday in the French Open Final to take home his first French Open Title. Watch Roger Federer vs Robin Soderling video!

But that is not all. If he wins he will tie Pete Sampras’ record of 14 Grand Slam Singles Titles. In addition he will become only the sixth man in tennis history to have a career Grand Slam winning a title from each of tennis’ four majors. Federer has beaten Soderling in all 9 previous matches. Sunday he would like nothing better than to make it 10. More on Tennis Betting!

The world of sports is still unpredictable. The power of competition and the strength of the human spirit still make it hard to pick winners within the shadow of a doubt.

The difference between being champions and coming in the easily forgettable runner up is found somewhere in the heart and soul of the athletes who devote their lives to the sports that offer us so much pleasure. All is as it should be.

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

Start betting on 2008 French Open now at BetUS and receive a $50 free bonus.

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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