France tops Canada to take lead in Davis Cup

Tennis Betting Lines

02/11/2012 - Vancouver, BC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Julien Benneteau and Michael Llodra took down Canadians Daniel Nestor and Milos Raonic in straight sets, 7-6 (7-1), 7-6 (7-2), 6-3 to give France a 2-1 edge in the third rubber of a best-of- five tie in Davis Cup play at Thunderbird Sports Centre.

Benneteau and Llodra had the better of the play all match, winning 81 percent of first serve points, to just 71 percent for Nestor and Raonic. The French tandem also converted 2-of-8 break points and did a fantastic job holding serve as well. Nestor and Raonic had only three break-point opportunities and failed to record a break in the match.

The Canadian duo also committed 28 unforced errors to only 18 for the French side.

France took the opening rubber on Friday after Jo-Wilfried Tsonga made quick work of Vasek Pospisil, 6-1, 6-3, 6-3. Tsonga dominated throughout the match with 91 percent (41-of-45) of first serve points won, while breaking Pospisil five times.

Canada responded to tie things in Friday's nightcap after Raonic topped Benneteau in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4, 7-5 on the strength of 24 aces, 89 percent (51-of-57) first serve points won and 4-of-7 break points won.

Play in this tie will continue on Sunday when Raonic battles Tsonga and Pospisil will take on Benneteau.

France owns nine Davis Cup titles, with its last one coming in 2001, while Canada has never reached a World Group final. France is 1-0 all-time against the Canadians, with the victory coming in Paris back in 1966.

The winner here will face the USA in the quarterfinals in April. The Americans surprisingly swept Switzerland this weekend.

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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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