Glatch pulls U.S. even with Czechs in Fed Cup semis

Tennis Betting Lines

04/25/2009 - Brno, Czech Republic (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - American Alexa Glatch steamrolled Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic in the second of two singles matches Saturday to pull the United States even with the Czechs after the opening day of play in their Fed Cup semifinal encounter.

After Petra Kvitova earned a 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) win over American Bethanie Mattek- Sands in the first match of the day, Glatch needed only 56 minutes to pull the U.S. even in the best-of-five tie with a 6-1, 6-2 rout of Benesova.

Glatch won 56 of the 89 total points in the one-sided match and fired 20 winners compared to just six for her counterpart. She did not face a break point against her serve and converted 4-of-8 break-point chances on her way to the easy victory.

In the opener, Kvitova broke twice to capture the first set and both players earned a break in the second before it went to a tiebreaker. The Czech dominated the tiebreak and completed the straight-set triumph in 91 minutes.

Saturday's two losers will square off in Sunday's first reverse singles match, as Benesova takes on Mattek-Sands. Kvitova and Glatch are scheduled to meet in Sunday's second singles match before the doubles rubber pits Benesova and Kveta Peschke for the hosts against Mattek-Sands and Liezel Huber.

The Americans have lost in the semifinal round each of the last four years, falling to the eventual champion Russians in both 2007 and 2008. They haven't reached the Fed Cup final since losing to France in 2003 and haven't won it all since claiming the last of 17 titles in 2000.

As for the Czechs, they haven't won a Fed Cup title since competing as a sole nation beginning in 1994. Playing as Czechoslovakia from 1963 until 1992, the country won five Fed Cup titles -- the last coming in 1988.

This is the third meeting between the United States and the Czech Republic. The Americans won both previous matchups.

The winner of this tie will advance to the Fed Cup final in November against the winner between Italy and defending champion Russia. The Italians own a 2-0 lead in that semifinal matchup.

Americanfootballventure Tennis Betting News

<< Slumping Marlins aim to rebound versus Phils
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Florida Marlins will try to snap out of their current funk when they resume a three-game series versus the NL East-rival Philadelphia Phillies tonight at Dolphin Stadium. Florida has dropped four in a

<< Reds send Arroyo to mound against Braves
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Bronson Arroyo will try to continue his hot start to the season when he leads the Cincinnati Reds this afternoon in the middle contest of a three-game series versus the Atlanta Braves. Arroyo is 3-0 with a 4.19 earn

<< Mets, Nats continue series at Citi Field
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Mets will continue their stretch against NL East foes today when they resume a three-game series versus the Washington Nationals at Citi Field. New York is in the midst of playing 13 straight gam

<< Streaking Brewers resume series in Houston
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Milwaukee Brewers will try to extend their season high winning streak to four games tonight when they resume a three-game series against the NL Central-rival Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Milwaukee handed

<< Cards aim for fifth straight win vs. Cubs
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The St. Louis Cardinals are heating up and will shoot for their fifth straight win when they continue a three-game series versus the NL Central-rival Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium. St. Louis posted its fourth consecutiv

'Quakes Cochrane undergoes ankle surgery >>
Santa Clara, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - San Jose Earthquakes defender Ryan Cochrane has undergone successful arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle and is expected to be out of action for 10-12 weeks. Cochrane, who missed time in prese

Jazic added to Goat's disabled list >>
Carson, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Defender Ante Jazic has been added to Chivas USA's disabled list, making the player ineligible for at least six league matches. Jazic, 33, suffered a concussion during preseason training on March 11 and

Carver steps down at TFC >>
Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Toronto FC announced Saturday that head coach John Carver has tendered his resignation with the club for personal reasons. His resignation will take effect immediately. Carver was hired as head coach on Feb

USA dispatches Latvia in World Championship opener >>
Bern, Switzerland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jack Johnson tallied twice, including the game-winner late in the second period, as Team USA opened its 2009 World Championship slate with a 4-2 win over Latvia. Drew Stafford and Patrick O'Sulliva

Nadal cruises into Barcelona final for rematch with Ferrer >>
Barcelona, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Rafael Nadal continued his domination on clay with a straight-set victory over Nikolay Davydenko in the semifinals of the Barcelona Open and will take on fellow Spaniard David Ferrer in a rematch of last

How did changes to college football betting rules affect bettors?

The 2007 college football rules changes that were implemented to shorten games are now history. The NCAA rules committee did what they set out to do; games were cut by an average of 14 minutes per game last season. There were also, on average, 14 fewer plays per game. We’ll get into how that did (or didn’t) affect games in regards to the pointspread a bit later.

While the NCAA rules committee may have had the betterment of the game in mind, they'll now “turn back the clock” for next season. Two key rules have now been overturned by the NCAA committee for the 2007 season, something definitely for the better.

For those of you who may not remember what those rules actually were, let us refresh your memory.

1) The first one was actually starting the clock on a kickoff as soon as the kicker touched the ball rather than waiting until the returner touched it. The problem here was near the end of the half (or game), if the team leading was kicking off, they could milk the clock by intentionally running offsides and then re-kicking. They could run 10-15 seconds off the clock each play while taking just five-yard penalties each time. They could run the clock down and simply cause the half (or game) to end on a kickoff, keeping the opposing offense off the field. In 2007, the clock will now start when the returner touches the ball as it had before last season.

2) The second rule dealt with starting the clock after a change of online football betting possession rather than waiting until the ball was snapped. This took a lot of time off the clock throughout the game as teams changed possession, however it caused the most problems late in games (or halves). Rather than huddling up and calling a play, the offensive team would have to rush onto the field as the clock started. This was a definite disadvantage to a team that was trying to come from behind late in the game. This year the clock will start on a change of possession, after the ball is snapped.

How did those rules affect the college game last year and will it make a difference this year when it comes to the pointspread? We commonly heard two theories when it came to these changes. First, it would affect scoring negatively. Second, it would hurt favorites as they would have less time and fewer plays to cover the number.

Did the rules hurt scoring? Yes. It seemed obvious that shortening the game by what amounted to 14 plays would push scoring downward. That was the case last year. Of the 119 Division 1A teams, 69 squads scored fewer points in 2007 than they did in 2005. Just 48 teams had a higher PPG scoring average and two stayed the same. Almost 59 percent of the teams in college football last year had a lower PPG average than they did in 2005. Expect more scoring in 2007 as we revert back to the old rules.

Did the rules hinder favorites from covering the number in 2007? Not really. Last year the favorites posted an overall spread record of 336-350-16 (48.9 percent). The year before, favorites were 316-326-13 (49.2 percent). In 2004, the favorites were 316-339-2 (48.2 percent). In fact, college football favorites have been above 50 percent for the season just once in the last seven years (in 2003). Last year’s numbers fell right in line with where they have been historically.

How about big favorites? The rules must have hurt them? Maybe a little bit. Double-digit favorites last year came in at a 47.8 percent clip compare with an average of just over 50 percent over the last seven years. Since 1980, favorites of -10 or more have covered at exactly a 50 percent clip (measured over 6,716 games).

Even bigger favorites must have struggled? Not really. In fact, it was just the opposite. Favorites of three TD’s or more were 59-54-2 last year (52.2 percent). Since 2000, those same favorites (-21 or higher) hit at 51.3 percent and since 1990 came in a clip of 50.3 percent. Stepping it up a notch to four TD favorites or higher, we actually see they've covered at a much better rate last season than before. Last year, favorites of -28 or more were 31-21-1, or almost 60 percent. Historically, four-TD-or-higher favorites have come in at a 50.7 percent spot since 2000 and only 48.9 percent since 1990. The “perceived” problem with the favorites covering at a reduced rate really never came to fruition.

Bottom line is, there might be some more scoring in 2007, but no real revelations when it comes to finding any pointspread golden nuggets.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your bet on college football needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.

FOOTBALL BETTING : Cassel Signs Contract

Kansas City, MO - Kansas City has not officially named Matt Cassel its starting quarterback, but there can be no doubt now.

NFL Betting
After praising his leadership and work ethic through spring workouts, the Chiefs announced Tuesday they had signed the 27-year-old Cassel to a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but he will almost certainly be one of the highest-paid members of the team.
"We are excited to be able to reach a long-term agreement for Matt Cassel to be a Kansas City Chief for many years to come," owner and board chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "His proven leadership on and off the field will be a tremendous asset to the organization."
Patriots made him their franchise player, meaning his salary for this season will be about $15 million.
New head coach Todd Haley, taking over for Herm Edwards after a 2-14 season, refused to name a starter at any position during offseason workouts. But it was obvious to everyone the team belonged to Cassel.
"I go out there each and every day with that focus that I'm the starter," Cassel said during a June minicamp. "Competition brings out the best in everybody."
The signing will come as welcome news to Cassel's new coaches and teammates. Amiable and hardworking, online football betting he appeared to win over everyone at minicamp.
"I think he's got some unique leadership qualities. I think his teammates like him and have respect for him. I think he's doing a pretty good job on the field, too," Haley said last month. "He's doing everything that I'm asking him, that our coaches are asking him to do. I don't have one single complaint how he's carrying himself."
After one workout, wide receiver Devard Darling declared Cassel "a breath of fresh air."
"He has a lot of swagger, a lot of confidence. It's good for us," said Darling. "We trust in him that he's going to go out there and lead us all the way."
nse to accommodate his specific abilities.
Trapped on the bench behind Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and then unable to unseat Super Bowl MVP Brady at New England, Cassel seemed destined to be a backup all his life. As Brady was helped off the field last September, Cassel seized the opportunity he'd been waiting for since high school.
In his only sustained action since his teens, he hit 349 of 555 passes for 3,949 yards at New England. He had 23 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions as the Patriots, who had gone unbeaten through the regular season the year before, finished 11-5 and out of the playoffs.
Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who had been Bill Belichick's assistant in New England, engineered the trade after the Patriots became convinced that Brady would recover fully from his knee operation.
"Since Matt arrived in Kansas City, he has embraced the team and the community," Pioli said. "His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players."

NFL Betting Lines

To visit this sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your college football betting needs.