What a Georgia Peach

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What a Georgia Peach

Why can?t Melanie Oudin keep stunning the world? The Georgia native is listed at +400 in her mid-morning matchup against Maria Sharapova (-900). The heavily-favored Russian, however, has yet to win a tournament this year, including losses in the French Open and Wimbledon to much lesser players before even reaching the semis. Oudin made it into the fourth round at Wimbledon and, with a win over Elena Dementieva earlier this week, she has proven she has the potential to be great.


No defense for the defense

A disastrous game of musical chairs isn?t as messy as what could happen to the United States backline in its World Cup Qualifier against El Salvador Saturday. American center backs Oguchi Onyewu and Jay DeMerit are both out, meaning Carlos Bocanegra likely will have to move back inside and the horrible Steve Cherundolo is put into the lineup at left back. El Salvador figures to pack it in and try to play for the draw, putting Los Cuscatlecos at a great value at +2 goals for even money, or the total under three goals at -125.

 

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Toronto should make Rapids see Red

The Colorado Rapids are without top striker Connor Casey ? away with the U.S. national team ? and top midfielder Pablo Mastroeni ? yellow card accumulation. Toronto, however, is at nearly full strength as midfielder Carl Robinson is expected to play. The Reds also beat the Rapids, 1-0, and 3-1 last season. This first meeting this year should go to Toronto, which is a steal at +280.

 

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US Open: Day 6 analysis and picks

US Open: Day 6 analysis and picks

US Open: Day 6 analysis and picks

I've picked out a couple of well-matched but somewhat obscure players for today, but also what should be an extremely entertaining confrontation between Fernando Verdasco and Tommy Haas.

(10) FERNANDO VERDASCO (-160) VS. (20) TOMMY HAAS (+145)

A very tough call here, but I'm going with Haas, who has looked very sharp through two rounds. Haas leads the head-to-head 2-0, both in hardcourt ATP 1000 events (Cincinnati 2006 and Indian Wells 2008). It's a good matchup for Tommy because his splendid backhand neutralizes lefty Verdasco's big forehands in the cross-court rallies. Haas is a better player around the net. Great start to the year for Verdasco, after he trained in the off-season with Andre Agassi's staff.

Pick: Haas.

(23) PHILIPP KOHLSCHREIBER (+130) VS. (15) RADEK STEPANEK (-140)

Stepanek has a few unorthodoxies and on-court habits that drive opponents to distraction, but Kohlschreiber is a pretty together player who won't be affected. The German has a very consistent game, but I like Radek here, based on his first two rounds. He's flown through Simone Bolelli and young Leonardo Mayer while Kohlschreiber had a spot of trouble with former University of Virginia star Somdev Devvarman in the second round. Stepanek is 34-14 for the year, Kohlschreiber 33-18. Step holds a 2-1 head to head, but no matches this year. Very close contest.

Pick: Stepanek.

YANINA WICKMAYER (-170) VS. SARA ERRANI (+155)

The little (5-foot-4) Italian has fought her way to No. 42 and surprised No. 16 Patty Schnyder in reaching the third round. Excellent counter-puncher, but the little-known Belgian Wickmayer has been a mild surprise this year. She's been a pro since 2005, when she was 14, but injuries and inexperience held her back. She is in only her second full year playing main draw events and, at No. 50 with a 20-15 mark, looks like a winner here. Knocked off Virginie Razzano in the first round. First-time meeting.

Pick: Wickmayer.

KATERYNA BONDARENKO (-300) VS. ANASTASIA RODIONOVA (+275)

There's a lot on the line here because whoever triumphs is going to have a very winnable round of 16 match for a trip to the quarters. That's big time for both these players, and I like Bondarenko to continue a very nice run. Bondarenko is now 19-17 after blowing away Shenay Perry of the U.S. in 47 minutes, never facing a break point. Rodionova, a Russian-born Aussie, is getting face time on You Tube after calmly touching the winning shot into the open court as second-round opponent Sabine Lisicki lay writhing on court behind the baseline after taking a spill and suffering a leg injury that looks like it's going to cost her some time off tour. Rodionova is No. 139. Bondarenko leads the head to head 2-0, but they haven't played since 2007.

Pick: Bondarenko.