The World Group, First Round of the Davis Cup by PNB Paribas is almost upon as the Futures markets are buzzing with props on the 16 nations involved. Serbia interestingly is marginally favoured, listed at +275, over defending champion Spain that carries a price of +300. I can see why in some respects the market cast is so lopsided. Two words, Novak Djokovic.

Monterrey, Mexico – Slovak Dominka Cibulkova is a promising talent in the women’s game and we saw glimpses of that potential last year at the Australian Open (where she finished in the last 16, lost to Dementieva); and the French Open (where she reached the semis but lost to Safina).

The best Thai golfer in the world, Thongchai Jaidee, will try for his 3rd straight Malaysian Open title this week. Jaidee won the Malaysian Open in 2004 and 2005.

Monterrey, Mexico – Top seed Jelena Jankovic is the big name in this week’s draw at the WTA Monterrey Open. Her name is so big that most pundits expect her to win the title with ease. She is the bookies short-odds-on favourite to clean up, natch.

It’s a great day if you’re a Syracuse Orange fan, for the first time in 20 years the Syracuse Orangemen are ranked number one before the March Madness Tournament, they were voted number in 2003 after winning the NCAA Tournament championship but not in two decades have they been number one beforehand.

The SEC isn’t really known for basketball, especially with Florida dwindling as their premier program. For Vanderbilt, however, a shot at the SEC regular-season title is still within reach. Ranking thirteenth in the AP Top-25, Vanderbilt is making a strong case to be considered as an outside bet as we approach March Madness.

Selection Sunday is less than 2 weeks away on March 14th.  And it’s Syracuse dominating all the polls after crushing Villanova on Saturday.  After Kansas, Kentucky and Purdue lost this past weekend the stars are aligning for the Orange to be the number one team in the country for the first time in 20 years.

Former No. 1 Kansas fell to No. 2, followed by No.

New Zealand is looking to square the ledger in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series with a win in the five-match series that kicks of in Napier.
Cricket Odds:
Tuesday, March 2, 7.30pm EST (2pm Napier local time)
Australia –300
New Zealand +220
With perfect conditions expected for both teams, the winner of the toss will look to bat first on a pitch that is predicted to be a belter, a far…