Henin reaches semis; Hingis falls in Doha

Tennis Betting Lines

03/01/2007 - Doha, Qatar (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Top-seeded Belgian Justine Henin highlighted Thursday's quarterfinal winners, while her fellow former world No. 1 Martina Hingis went by way of the upset at the $1.34 million Qatar Open.

Henin, fresh off her title in Dubai, fought back to beat fifth-seeded Swiss Patty Schnyder 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 at Khalifa International Tennis Complex. Henin saved a match point before advancing on Day 4.

The hot French Open champion Henin defeated France's Amelie Mauresmo in last week's finale at the Dubai Women's Open and is currently riding a six- match winning streak.

The U.S. Open and Wimbledon runner-up Henin's semifinal opponent on Friday will be fourth-seeded Serbian Jelena Jankovic, who's off to a fast 16-4 start this season.

A third-seeded Hingis, meanwhile, blew a big lead against Daniela Hantuchova, as the sixth-seeded Slovakian claimed an unlikely 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory on Day 4. Hingis was leading the match 6-1, 4-1 when Hantuchova mounted a furious comeback.

Hingis captured the Doha title in 2001.

In other quarterfinal action, second-seeded Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova drubbed eighth-seeded Italian Francesca Schiavone 6-3, 6-4 and the rising Jankovic erased Ukrainian Kateryna Bondarenko 6-3, 6-3. The French Open runner-up Kuznetsova reached the Doha finale in 2004.

Kuznetsova and Hantuchova will do battle in Friday's other semi.

The 2007 Qatar titlist will claim $222,000.

Goldclubcasion Tennis Betting News

<< Saints release WR Horn
New Orleans, LA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New Orleans Saints released veteran wide receiver and four-time Pro Bowl selection Joe Horn on Thursday. The decision came after Horn reportedly met with the organization regarding a restructure an

<< Steelers release Joey Porter
Pittsburgh, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Pittsburgh Steelers released standout linebacker Joey Porter along with running back Verron Haynes on Thursday, just hours before the free agency period was set to begin. Porter has played each of h

<< Smyth trade sends shock waves through Edmonton
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - On Tuesday night, the Edmonton Oilers paid tribute to one of their all-time great players when the organization made the long-overdue move of retiring the legendary Mark Messier's jersey. The lengthy and lavish celebration pr

<< Federer moves on; Nadal upset in Dubai quarters
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Three-time champion Roger Federer inched closer to a fifth final here in five years, while reigning titlist Rafael Nadal came up a quarterfinal loser Thursday at the $1.5 million Dubai T

<< FC Dallas adds Columbian midfielder
Frisco, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Major League Soccer's FC Dallas announced on Wednesday evening that is has signed 21-year-old Colombian-midfielder Juan Carlos Toja on loan from Colombian-side Independiente de Santa Fe. The 6-1, 172 p

Vikings cut trio of veterans >>
Minneapolis, MN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Minnesota Vikings released a trio of veterans on Thursday, hours before the NFL free agency period was to begin. The Vikings jettisoned tight end Jermaine Wiggins, offensive lineman Mike Rosenth

Cowboys cut ties with Bledsoe >>
Irving, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Dallas Cowboys released veteran quarterback Drew Bledsoe on Thursday. The 35-year-old Bledsoe started 22 of Dallas' last 32 regular season games after joining the Cowboys in 2005. He helpe

Bills release veteran G Villarrial >>
Orchard Park, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Buffalo Bills released a pair of veterans on Thursday, guard Chris Villarrial and safety Matt Bowen. Villarrial, an 11-year veteran, has struggled with injuries the past several seasons. He mi

Billups, Nowitzki earn NBA honors for February >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Detroit Pistons' Chauncey Billups and Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks were named Players of the Month in their respective conferences for the month of February. Billups averaged 17.9

Jaguars give Taylor contract extension >>
Jacksonville, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Jacksonville Jaguars inked running back Fred Taylor to a contract extension Thursday which will reportedly add three years to his deal. The high-profile but oft-injured back had a rebound year

Big East Conference odds

Work left to do: Villanova, Syracuse, DePaul, West Virginia, Providence

Notre Dame and Louisville appear to have done enough to make the move, so we'll make them locks. The Cardinals, despite a modest RPI, are trending way up and have clinched at least a tie for third in the Big East, which should be more than enough with their pair of big road wins. Villanova got back to .500 and gets back to more solid footing. Syracuse got a very important road win and crippled a fellow contender in the process. West Virginia's fate could be in its hands Tuesday at Pitt.

Work left to do:

Villanova [18-9 (7-7), RPI: 21, SOS: 5] Pounded Rutgers to get back to .500. If Cats can get their last two (at UConn, vs. Syracuse), that should be enough with strong computer numbers and a host of wins away from The Pavilion. The Cats have beaten Texas and swept the Big 5 (never easy in Philly), but have a couple of losses to bubble teams (Xavier, Drexel), too. I still think they'll be OK, possibly even at 8-8.

Syracuse [20-8 (9-5), RPI: 53, SOS: 62] History says 10 wins will be plenty, but it might be hard for the Orange to get that last one with a final two vs. G'town, which is trying to win the league title, and at Villanova, which will be desperate for a W. The relative lack of nonconference heft and the weak computer numbers are still concerns, but the Orange have won four in a row and got a very, very big win at Providence on Saturday.

DePaul [16-12 (8-7), RPI: 54, SOS: 18] Beat Cincy and should get past South Florida to get to 9-7, but then what? They have beaten Kansas and Cal (right after the DeVon Hardin injury) earlier this season, but also have lost to Bradley and Purdue, among others. They'll likely need a couple of BE tourney wins, too, but we'll see ...

West Virginia [19-7 (8-6), RPI: 58, SOS: 125] The game at Pitt on Tuesday night could decide the Mountaineers' fate (barring a deep tournament run). They can still get to 9-7 in the Big East without it by beating Cincinnati, but the nine wins would be against UConn, Villanova, St. John's, South Florida, DePaul, Rutgers, Seton Hall twice and the Bearcats. Beating bubble foes is fine, but where's the beef? Outside of beating PG-less UCLA in nonconference play (still a top quality win), there's not a lot to fall back on (besides maybe NC State). WVU vs. Syracuse would be an interesting debate, as the teams don't play in the Big East regular season. WVU has the best win, but Cuse has played the much better schedule.

Providence [17-10 (7-7), RPI: 70, SOS: 33] The Friars likely saw their at-large hopes die at home in the four-point loss to Syracuse, barring an unexpected run to the Big East semis or more. The RPI, bad already, won't be helped by playing St. John's and South Florida in the final two league games.

For more March Madness odds go to MySportsbook.com

For more College Basketball betting lines go to BettingExpress.com

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.