Defending champ Dementieva advances in Sydney

Tennis Betting Lines

01/10/2010 - Sydney, Australia (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Fifth-seeded Russian Elena Dementieva was a 6-2, 7-5 first-round winner over Italy's Francesca Schiavone at the $600,000 Medibank International Sydney tennis event.

Dementieva, the defending champion, is making her eighth appearance in Sydney. She beat Australian Open and French Open runner-up Dinara Safina in last year's all-Russian Sydney finale.

Also Sunday, third-seeded Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova earned a hard-fought victory over fellow countrywoman Alisa Kleybanova, 6-2, 6-7 (3-7), 7-5 on the hardcourts at Sydney International Tennis Centre. Kuznetsova was the runner-up here in 2008 when she lost to Justin Henin in three sets.

There was one other first-round match Sunday as Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova dispatched France's Virginie Razzano, 6-3, 6-0.

The top two seeds in this tournament received opening-round byes, American Serena Williams and Safina.

A left gluteal strain forced Henin to withdraw from this tournament. The Belgian sustained the injury Saturday night in the final of the Brisbane International. Kim Clijsters outlasted Henin 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (8-6) in the title match.

The Medibank International serves as a final tune-up for the Aussie Open, which starts January 18.

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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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Marlins could start season without No. 2 starter Johnson

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.

Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.

MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .

''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''

Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.

He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.

''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''

Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.

Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.

With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.

Additional basbeall odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

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