Critical Notes

Maria Sharapova is ready to defend her U.S. Open title. (AI Wire photo)

The queen takes the court Tuesday night in New York - and she has reason to have a chip on her shoulder.

Despite being the defending champion and No. 2 seed, Maria Sharapova holds U.S. Open odds of only 5/1, making her the third choice among the betting public. The 20-year-old beauty has battled a shoulder injury this year, but says she’s healthy heading into the final grand slam event of the tennis season.

She meets Italian Roberta Vinci in one of the matches featured at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows, N.Y. Sharapova will be a heavy favorite to advance to the second round. Her chief rivals for the title, Justine Henin and Serena and Venus Williams, all won on opening day.

In the men’s draw, a battle between Americans highlights the night matches as No. 5 Andy Roddick takes on once promising Justin Gimelstob. Roddick beat Gimelstob in the first round at Wimbledon two months ago.

Roddick is an intriguing player for tennis bettors. His U.S. Open odds make him a fairly long shot at 20/1, but he has 33 wins on hard-court surfaces this year, a total that leads the ATP. He’s also a fan favorite and won the tournament in 2003.

How he fares against Gimelstob could give a prelude to what he will do the rest of the way.

For U.S. Open odds for the men’s and women’s draw throughout the tournament, visit the Bodog Sportsbook every day. And read a preview of the women’s draw in Bodog Nation, the popular online magazine.

Maria Sharapova is ready to defend her U.S. Open title. (AI Wire photo)

The queen takes the court Tuesday night in New York - and she has reason to have a chip on her shoulder.

Despite being the defending champion and No. 2 seed, Maria Sharapova holds U.S. Open odds of only 5/1, making her the third choice among the betting public. The 20-year-old beauty has battled a shoulder injury this year, but says she’s healthy heading into the final grand slam event of the tennis season.

She meets Italian Roberta Vinci in one of the matches featured at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows, N.Y. Sharapova will be a heavy favorite to advance to the second round. Her chief rivals for the title, Justine Henin and Serena and Venus Williams, all won on opening day.

In the men’s draw, a battle between Americans highlights the night matches as No. 5 Andy Roddick takes on once promising Justin Gimelstob. Roddick beat Gimelstob in the first round at Wimbledon two months ago.

Roddick is an intriguing player for tennis bettors. His U.S. Open odds make him a fairly long shot at 20/1, but he has 33 wins on hard-court surfaces this year, a total that leads the ATP. He’s also a fan favorite and won the tournament in 2003.

How he fares against Gimelstob could give a prelude to what he will do the rest of the way.

For U.S. Open odds for the men’s and women’s draw throughout the tournament, visit the Bodog Sportsbook every day. And read a preview of the women’s draw in Bodog Nation, the popular online magazine.