Djokovic, Cilic post wins in Serbia-Croatia tussle

Tennis Betting Lines

07/09/2010 - Split, Croatia (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Novak Djokovic and Marin Cilic notched opening singles wins Friday in the best-of-five Davis Cup quarterfinal between rival nations Serbia and host Croatia.

The world No. 2 Djokovic got Serbia going with a 7-6 (7-3), 6-4, 6-1 victory over Indian Wells Masters champion Ivan Ljubicic before the Australian Open semifinalist Cilic leveled the tie for Croatia with a 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 waxing of Viktor Troicki on the indoor hardcourt at Spaladium Arena.

Djokovic handled the former top-five star Ljubicic in just under 2 1/2 hours, despite being out-aced 14-0. Djokovic did, however, pile up five service breaks, compared to only one for the big Croat, who also misfired for a whopping 11 double faults.

Cilic prevailed over Troicki in 2 hours, 23 minutes by piling up six breaks, compared to only two for the Serbian loser.

Saturday's pivotal doubles encounter is supposed to pit a Croatian tandem of Ivan Dodig and Antonio Veic versus a Serbian duo of Janko Tipsarevic and Nenad Zimonjic, while Sunday's reverse singles currently call for the world No. 13 Cilic to battle the Wimbledon semifinalist and former Australian Open champion Djokovic and Ljubicic to tangle with Troicki.

The Croats are captained by Goran Prpic, while Bogdan Obradovic is guiding team Serbia.

Players from Croatia and Serbia used to play under the flag of Yugoslavia. This marks their first Davis Cup meeting since they became independent nations.

Serbia is in its first-ever quarterfinal, while Croatia is seeking its second title, with the first one coming in 2005.

The winner here will meet Chile or the 2009 runner-up Czech Republic in the semifinals in September.

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A two-time Pro Bowler, Green was going into a feet-first hook slide when he was knocked unconscious by a thunderous, head-snapping hit from Cincinnati's Robert Geathers.

Oddsmakers at online sportsbook MySportsbook.com currently have the Chiefs listed as 7-point favorites versus the 49ers.

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To visit this online sports book got to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.