11/15/2008 - Shanghai, China (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Andy Murray's sky-high ride to the lucrative Tennis Masters Cup semifinals came to an abrupt end Saturday, as Nikolay Davydenko closed strong in both sets to reach the final at the $4.45 million season-ending tournament.
Murray, coming off a dramatic and emotional three-set victory over Roger Federer on Friday, started on solid footing in both sets, but couldn't withstand a fierce Davydenko barrage late. The Russian downed Scotland's young star, 7-5, 6-2.
The round-robin format brought plenty of casualties to the courts in Shanghai, leaving Murray the only player unscathed entering Saturday's semifinals. Murray went 3-0 to win the Red Group, while Davydenko finished 2-1 in the Gold Group, with a loss earlier in the week to Serbian Novak Djokovic, who will be his opponent in Sunday's final.
The Australian Open champion Djokovic rallied to down Frenchman Gilles Simon, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 in Saturday's other semifinal. Simon finished 2-1 in Red Group play, and like Murray, defeated Federer at the beginning of red-round play.
Federer's stunning exit still permeated the event on Saturday. It was the first time the Swiss superstar hadn't reached the semifinals at the season- ending event in seven tries.
Murray was to thank for that, yet the Scot's fortunes changed on Saturday. Davydenko used a powerful first serve and broke through on 2-of-8 break chances to steal the opening set. Murray was below 50 percent on his first serve and had just one break opportunity in the first set.
The second set was a tidal wave of Davydenko forehands and flawless play. He was a perfect 8-for-8 on first-serve point opportunities and didn't face a break over his four service games.
Djokovic's trip to the finals was slightly more arduous in a match that extended to nearly three hours. Simon was nearly unbeatable with his first serve in the opening set, winning 13-of-14 first serve points. He won just 1- of-6 break chances, but it was good enough to take the set.
The second set was a complete 180-degree turn, as Djokovic had all of the break opportunities, and like Simon, he converted on just one. However, also like the Frenchman, the one break was good enough to force a third and deciding set.
Three double faults from Simon in the third set weighed heavily on his service games, and Djokovic took two breaks to slip into the winner's circle.
<< Dodgers withdraw offer to Manny
Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Dodgers have
withdrawn the franchise record-setting offer they made to left fielder
Manny Ramirez last week, but the club is still interested in bringing the
slugger
<< Yankees offer Sabathia six years, $140 million
Bronx, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Yankees offered free agent pitcher
CC Sabathia a six-year, $140 million contract on Friday.
Yankees co-chairman Hal Steinbrenner confirmed the offer in a story on the
team's Web site. The deal
<< Wallace, Pistons send Lakers to first loss
Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Rasheed Wallace notched a season-high 25
points and grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds as the Detroit Pistons captured a
106-95 win against the Lakers, sending Los Angeles to its first loss of the
season.
<< Stoudemire's jumper, block help Suns edge Kings in OT
Sacramento, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Amare Stoudemire hit the game-winning jumper
with 4.5 seconds left in overtime and blocked the final shot attempt, and
Shaquille O'Neal recorded 29 points, 13 rebounds and six assists, as the
Phoenix
No. 10 Gonzaga hosts Montana State-Billings in season opener >>
Spokane, WA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 10th-ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs are set to
host the Montana State-Billings Yellowjackets in the season opener for both
teams.
For Montana State-Billings, there is no where to go but up under the guidance
of f
No. 14 Tennessee opens season at home versus Chattanooga >>
Knoxville, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The defending Southeastern Conference
Champion Tennessee Volunteers begin their quest for a repeat, as they tip off
the 2008-09 season against the visiting Chattanooga Mocs of the Southern
Conference.
Chatta
Top-ranked Tar Heels host Quakers in season opener >>
Chapel Hill, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The much-anticipated season opener in
Chapel Hill will finally take place this afternoon, as the top-ranked North
Carolina Tar Heels hit the Smith Center floor against the Penn Quakers.
Roy Williams' team e
No. 13 Memphis begins season against visiting Fairfield >>
Memphis, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 13th-ranked Memphis Tigers open up their
2008-09 season at home this evening, as they welcome the Fairfield Stags to
FedExForum for a non-conference matchup.
John Calipari's Tigers are probably in a for a b
El Duque expected to throw Tuesday
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.
Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.
El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.
MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds.
Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.
New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.
Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''
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