Berdych, Stepanek give Czechs 2-0 lead

Tennis Betting Lines

02/10/2012 - Ostrava, Czech Republic (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - World No. 7 Tomas Berdych and countryman Radek Stepanek gave the Czech Republic a 2-0 lead in Friday's opening singles rubbers against visiting Italy.

Bolstered by a 90 percent first-serve percentage (61-of-68), Berdych, 26, defeated 26-year-old Simone Bolelli 6-3, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 on the indoor hardcourt at CEZ Arena.

Prior to Berdych taking the court, Stepanek faced top Italian Andreas Seppi. Seppi fought hard but could not outlast Stepanek, a former world No. 8, who won 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in a grueling three hour, 50 minute match.

The best-of-five tie continues Saturday with a doubles match between the Czech team of Frantisek Cermak and Lukas Rosol against Italians Daniele Bracciali and Potito Starace. If the Czechs fail to close out the tie on Saturday, Berdych will face Seppi on Sunday followed by Stepanek versus Bolelli if necessary.

The Czechs, who are 7-3 all-time against Italy, and the Italians each own one Davis Cup championship.

The winner in Ostrava will face the Serbia-Sweden victor in the quarterfinals in April.

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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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