At the Net: Raonic on the rise

Tennis Betting Lines

02/20/2012 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - If you're trying to find young tennis stars from Canada (or anywhere else for that matter), look no further than Milos Raonic.

Okay, Raonic (pronounced Rau-nitch) plays under the Canadian flag on the ATP World Tour, although he was born in Montenegro and resides in Monaco and/or Spain, in addition to Thornhill, Ontario.

FYI: Montenegro was once part of the former Yugoslavia.

Moving on.

The 21-year-old Raonic, who moved to Canada with his parents at the tender age of three, is an all-courter who prefers hardcourts and possesses a wicked and accurate serve which has helped him climb back up to No. 32 in the world. He is Canada's second-highest-ranked ATP singles player since the computer rankings began in 1973. (Greg Rusedski peaked at No. 4 in 1997.)

Raonic just titled in San Jose over the weekend, as he became a repeat champion at the SAP Open by straight-setting Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin in the finale at HP Pavilion. It marked his third career title, which have all come over the last 12 months.

He was also a runner-up in Memphis last season.

The big-serving Raonic managed just seven aces in the San Jose final on Sunday, but one of 'em checked in at 150 mph in a service game that was clearly too much for the 58th-ranked Istomin. The Canadian slugger won all 10 of his service games and lost just four points, including one in a first-set tiebreak. In 41 service games in San Jose, Raonic was broken only once.

Raonic joined the likes of Andy Murray (2006-07), Andy Roddick (2004-05), Mark Philippoussis (1999-2000) and boyhood idol Pete Sampras (1996-97) as a back- to-back champ in San Jose.

The 6-foot-5 Raonic joked at the trophy presentation on Sunday that he likes San Jose so much he might consider moving there.

"It's amazing. If the real estate wasn't so expensive here, maybe I'd buy a place," he said.

The force that is Raonic may have even more titles to his credit had he not been sidelined last season after requiring surgery for a hip injury he sustained after slipping on the grass at Wimbledon in June.

"It was the toughest time and it was probably the hardest thing I hope I'll have to go through," he said of his surge-slowing injury. "These kind of moments make you forget that. It's in the past.

"I just hope to keep playing good tennis. Hopefully, the things go my way. Hopefully, people will judge me that way (as having) a breakthrough year. Hopefully, on to better and bigger things."

A healthy Raonic now has his eyes set on a run into the land of the big boys.

Raonic reached a career-high No. 25 in the world in May of last year and appeared to be on his way to the top 20, for sure, before the Wimby mishap. At one point last season, he rose from No. 152 in the world to No. 37 in a month.

"I think last year I was a lot more unaware of what was really going on," Raonic said. "This year, I have a lot higher expectations. I know how to prepare, I know how to deal with things and I feel like I'm a much better tennis player than I was last year."

Early 2012 has been good so far to the formidable Canadian, as evidenced by a brilliant 11-1 record and a pair of championships. He also titled at an Australian Open tuneup in Chennai, India last month. Unfortunately for Raonic at the Aussie Open, Aussie hero Lleyton Hewitt upended him in the third round Down Under.

Did You Know?: Raonic is the only two-time winner so far on the ATP this year.

If there has been any area of concern for Raonic thus far, it has been his performance at the Grand Slams, having suffered first- or second-round losses in three of his first five majors. His best showing has come in Melbourne, where he reached the third round this year after making a trip into the fourth round there a year ago.

In my humble opinion, there are four young guys to really keep your eye on, and, in no particular order, they are Aussie Bernard Tomic, American Ryan Harrison, Bulgarian Grigor "Baby Federer" Dimitrov... and Raonic. And I believe two of these guys can actually make it all the way to the top. And those two are Tomic... and Raonic.

If Raonic can keep the wins coming, he'll be able to afford that home in Silicon Valley... and anywhere else for that matter.

Sportbettingshop Tennis Betting News

<< More surgery for Oden
Portland, OR (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Portland Trail Blazers announced that center Greg Oden will undergo an arthroscopic procedure on Monday to remove debris from his left knee. It's the fifth surgery for the 7-foot Oden, who had

<< Bulls' Rose returns to lineup against Hawks
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose returned to the starting lineup Monday against the Atlanta Hawks after missing the past five games with back spasms. Rose has been battling the ailment since February 6,

<< De Rosario inks new United deal
Washington, D.C. (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - D.C. United announced on Monday that the club has signed 2011 MLS MVP Dwayne De Rosario to a new contract. The 33-year-old is coming off the best season of his career as he netted 16 goals and assist

<< Does Patrick have a shot at winning the Daytona 500?
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Rookies aren't supposed to win the Daytona 500, but Trevor Bayne proved that to be wrong last year. So why can't Danica Patrick be the next rookie to accomplish the same astounding feat? She's got the ta

<< Nashville inks Poile, Fenton to contract extensions
Nashville, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Nashville Predators inked both general manager David Poile and assistant general manager Paul Fenton to contract extensions on Monday. Poile's deal will keep him in charge in the Music City throug

Castro doubles up on Zaragoza >>
Aragon, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A goal in each half from Ruben Castro was enough for Real Betis to claim its second successive win on Monday as the club topped Real Zaragoza, 2-0. Castro's first tally arrived in the 41st minute when he

Lima nets hat trick as Braga rolls over Gil Vicente >>
Lisbon, Portugal (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Braga recorded its eighth straight win on Saturday as Lima scored a hat trick in the team's 3-0 win at Gil Vicente. Lima netted his first goal midway through the first half and added a second shortly

Rondo suspended two games >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo has been suspended for two games by the NBA, executive vice president of basketball operations Stu Jackson announced Monday. Rondo, who turns 26 on Wednesday, received

Spurs' Ginobili, Splitter to miss two weeks >>
San Antonio, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili and forward Tiago Splitter are both expected to miss the next two weeks with injuries suffered during Saturday's game against the Clippers. Ginobili left Satur

'Melo to return against Nets >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Forward Carmelo Anthony will return to the New York Knicks lineup Monday against New Jersey after missing seven games with a groin injury. Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni announced Anthony's return Monday. Anth

Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Odds

Will he or won't he?  Now that the Dallas Cowboys have a new head coach in Wade Phillips, the big question will be: Does Terrell Owens stay with the team.

Jerry Jones continues to suggest that Terrell Owens will remain with the team.

"I've said that he's back, he's here, he's under contract," Jones said. "In the interviews I've just been through (to hire a new coach), it was very clear to me how highly he's thought of and how much of an impact he had on our offensive success."

Just to be sure though, Terrell Owens cleared out his locker and removed his name plate.

Terrell Owens was among the Cowboys most productive players this past season, catching 85 passes for 1,180 yards and a league-best 13 touchdowns.

But T.O. is due a $3 million roster bonus in June, then a $5 million salary this season. Cutting him before then would save a lot of money and headaches.

Aside from the questions surrounding Terrell Owens, the oddsmakers at MySportsbook.com have concerns over starting quarterback Tony Romo's state of mind and whether he will remain a starting quarterback.  It is also not known how players will adjust to new head coach, Wade Phillips.

Here are the football odds as seen at MySportsbook.com and subject to change after February 10, 2007 if not locked in prior to that date.
Arizona Cardinals 60-1


Atlanta Falcons 50-1


Baltimore Ravens 15-1


Buffalo Bills 50-1


Carolina Panthers 18-1


Chicago Bears 10-1


Cincinnati Bengals 15-1


Cleveland Browns 100-1


Dallas Cowboys 15-1


Denver Broncos 15-1


Detroit Lions 100-1


Green Bay Packers 50-1


Houston Texans 100-1


Indianapolis Colts 6-1


Jacksonville Jaguars 30-1


Kansas City Chiefs 30-1


Miami Dolphins 40-1


Minnesota Vikings 75-1


New England Patriots 10-1


New Orleans Saints 18-1


New York Giants 20-1


New York Jets 30-1


Oakland Raiders 100-1


Philadelphia Eagles 18-1


Pittsburgh Steelers 10-1


Saint Louis Rams 60-1


San Diego Chargers 6-1


San Francisco 49ers 75-1


Seattle Seahawks 20-1


Tampa Bay Buccanneers 75-1


Tennessee Titans 40-1


Washington Redskins 50-1

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook credit cards needs.