With the clay season approaching, and with it, the build up to the French Open, all the talk is of the strength of the Spanish clay kings, who all look contenders to win the title at the Roland Garros.

If the Spanish are considered the masters of the red court, the Americans could be considered the clay paupers. The US routinely has long odds for the title in 2012 French Open Betting.

America’s problems on clay go back some time; they are ostensibly unable to excel on the surface. The country’s inability to win on clay is a little strange, given the quality of players from the States. It is, perhaps, a mental barrier that causes them to over-adapt their games to the surface, instead of relying on their core strengths.

Before we become depressed about an American’s chances of success at the French Open,  things might just be starting to look up for the US on clay.

Last weekend, Captain Courier led the US Davis Cup team under top American, John Isner, to two straight victories on clay away for the first time ever.

John Isner, a few years ago, looked like he could be a big match player who would relish the Davis Cup’s pressure, despite his low ranking, and that has finally come to fruition.

The 3-2 victory over France proves that the 5-0 victory over Switzerland was no fluke. That match was indoors; this was outside. Isner didn’t do it alone, but the likes of Federer, Tsonga, and Simon couldn’t deal with the big man’s big belief in his game.

If he can take this belief into Europe, America might just have a chance in the French Open. Check to see if the States’ odds for the title have improved consequently on Betfair.

Chicago Bears have revealed that wide receiver Johnny Knox will undergo surgery on his back after an awkward looking fall in the loss to Seattle on Sunday.

The 25-year-old’s back was bent in an uncomfortable looking position leading to the game to be stopped as the team’s medical staff carefully saw to him and lifted him onto a backboard before he was taken to hospital.
Luckily the prognosis is quite positive and the Bears say that his career shouldn’t be affected too much by the injury and he’ll eventually be able to enjoy a normal quality of life. Those following the American Football Betting Odds should remember this.

He’ll now go under the knife on Monday in an attempt to stabilise vertebrae in his back and coach Lovie Smith says he is confident his player will make a fully recovery.

“Johnny has total movement throughout his body, has total use of all his extremities, which is good” Smith told his post-game press conference. “As far as the injury, I know it’s a lower back injury right now.

“Of course we’re doing tests right now, but he has total movement. He is not paralyzed or anything like that” he added.

This is the latest in a shocking run of injuries for the Bears this season but this is by far the scariest. Anyone looking at the Super Bowl Betting should bear this in mind.

Knox gave the crowd a thumbs up as he left on the stretcher but the sight of his spine being bent backwards must surely have been a worry to anyone presence. Luckily the injury doesn’t seem too serious and hopefully he’ll be back on the field sooner rather than later.