Federer, Roddick land in Wimbledon final
Tennis Betting Lines
07/03/2009 -
Wimbledon, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Five-time champion Roger Federer
and two-time runner-up Andy Roddick will do battle in Sunday's men's final at
Wimbledon. The iconic Federer will appear in a men's record seventh straight
Wimbledon championship match.
The second-seeded former world No. 1 Federer topped 24th-seeded German Tommy
Haas 7-6 (7-3), 7-5, 6-3, while a sixth-seeded former top-ranked Roddick
upended third-seeded heavy British crowd favorite Andy Murray 6-4, 4-6, 7-6
(9-7), 7-6 (7-5) at the storied All England Club.
Federer, who would supplant his great rival Rafael Nadal atop the men's
rankings with a victory on Sunday, beat Roddick in the 2004 and 2005 finals
here.
The Swiss Federer titled here from 2003-2007 and was last year's runner-up to
Nadal in arguably the greatest tennis match of all-time.
The great Federer is trying to become the men's all-time leader in Grand
Slam singles titles, as he's currently tied with American great Pete
Sampras at 14. The super Swiss equaled Sampras and became the sixth man in
history to complete a career Grand Slam when he titled at the French Open last
month.
Federer will also appear in a men's record 20th Grand Slam final (14-5). He's
reached 16 of the last 17 major finals.
With tennis luminaries such as Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg in attendance on
Friday, a confident Federer snuck out an ultra-tight first set against Haas by
cruising in the tiebreak on Day 11 of the fortnight.
In the second set, things were air-tight again, but Federer finally broke
through on his third set point when a game Haas misfired long with a
forehand in the 12th game of the stanza.
Federer then charged across the finish line in the third set and converted on
his first match point with a resounding overhead smash winner, as the Swiss
notched his 10th love service game of the day in the process.
The sublime Swiss, who couldn't have served any better than he did on Friday,
advanced in 2 hours, 2 minutes and never faced a break point. Federer broke
Haas only twice, but also fired 21 more winners (49-28) en route to victory,
his 18th straight on the circuit.
"He just comes up with the goods, you know," Haas said. "He can play defensive
and turn it into offensive so quick, like no other player, and that makes him
so extremely tough."
Federer is now 10-2 all-time against Haas, including wins in their last nine
meetings. The 31-year-old former world No. 2 Haas was appearing in his first-
ever Wimbledon semifinal in 11 trips here. He's also played in three Aussie
Open semis, losing all three.
Haas, who lost to Federer in the fourth round at the French Open last month,
had been a perfect 10-0 on grass this year, including his first-ever grass-
court title in his native Germany just three weeks ago.
The 27-year-old Federer played in a record 21st straight Grand Slam semifinal
on Friday, and he's now won seven straight at the AEC.
Federer is 46-1 at Wimbledon and 71-1 on grass overall since 2003.
The reigning French Open and five-time U.S. Open titlist Federer is 59-22 in
his career finals, including a 2-1 mark this year. He lost to Nadal in the
Aussie Open finale back in January.
Meanwhile, the former U.S. Open champion Roddick reached his fifth career
Grand Slam final (1-3) and his first since the 2006 U.S. Open by ousting the
2008 U.S. Open runner-up Murray in 3 hours, 7 minutes. The big-hitting
American struck fewer aces (25-21) and fewer winners (76-64) than Murray on
Friday, but was able to sneak out a pair of tiebreaks to pull the upset.
Roddick won the first set by breaking Murray in the final game of the stanza,
but the Dunblane, Scotland native pulled even in the second set by breaking
Roddick for a 5-4 lead and the holding his serve to secure it.
The determined Roddick, by virtue of a break, jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the
third set, only to see Murray get the break back and ultimately level the
frame at 5-5. The set went to a tiebreak, which Roddick won in 16-point
fashion when Murray netted a forehand.
In the fourth and final set, Roddick nailed down another tiebreak by
converting on his second match point, as he improved to 3-6 lifetime against
Murray. Roddick also improved to 26-4 in his 2009 tiebreaks.
Both players could manage only two service breaks apiece in the tight affair.
Roddick is now 34-8 lifetime at Wimbledon.
Murray was trying to give Britain its first male Wimbledon champion in 73
years (Fred Perry) and was the highest-seeded Brit here since Roger Taylor in
1973.
The 26-year-old Roddick is 27-15 in 42 career finals, including a 1-1 record
this season. He lost to Murray in a final in Doha in January.
Federer is a lopsided 18-2 lifetime against Roddick, including a perfect 3-0
mark this year. The Swiss handled the American in the Aussie Open semifinals
back in January and is a flawless 3-0 against Roddick in major finals. In
addition to the '04 and '05 Wimbledon finals, Federer also topped Roddick in
the 2006 U.S. Open finale. The Swiss also defeated the American in the 2003
Wimbledon semis.
The 2009 Wimbledon champ will pocket $1.39 million. Federer is the all-time
leader in prize money, with more than $48 million earned.
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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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