Federer looks to close Open door

The U.S Open, tennis’ final major of the year, begins Monday in Flushing Meadows, N.Y., and it will be a monumental upset if anyone other than Roger Federer wins the men’s singles title.

The dominant player in the sport, Federer has won the Open three years in a row, so a bettor cannot expect to get rich if he or she thinks the outcome will be the same in 2007.

On Sportbet.com, Federer is the favorite at -250, meaning a player who believes he will win again would have to wager $250 to win $100.

Rafael Nadal is the second choice at +400, meaning a $100 bet would be worth $400 if Nadal wins the Open for the first time.

The odds on all other players are astronomical, including +1600 on Andy Roddick, who won the 2003 Open and lost to Federer in four sets a year ago, +3000 on James Blake and +4000 on Marcos Baghdatis and 2000 Open champion Marat Safin.

Justine Henin, who won the tournament in 2003 and was defeated in the final by Maria Sharapova last year, is the favorite on the women’s side at +185.

Sharapova is next at +335, followed by two-time champion Serena Williams (+390) and her sister Venus, who has also won twice at Flushing Meadows. Venus is +635.

Svetlana Kuznetsova, the 2004 champion, is +1300, and Martina Hingis, the 1997 winner, is +5000.

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Baseball

Although his record against Toronto is only 3-3, Kelvim Escobar has pitched well against his former team since joining the Angels in 2004.

Escobar, who will pitch the series finale against the Blue Jays today in Anaheim, has a 1.99 earned-run average in his six starts against Toronto and was effective in a 4-3 win in Canada on Aug. 16. In that victory, Escobar gave up one run and five hits in seven innings while striking out nine.

A winner of his last two starts at home versus Minnesota and New York, Escobar also enjoys pitching in sunshine. His ERA in day games this season is 1.66.

Dustin McGowan, who was the loser in the Aug. 16 game, will start for the Blue Jays. He gave up three earned runs in six innings in the loss.

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Pro football

Pittsburgh hopes to get more production from its first-team offense tonight when the Steelers play host to Philadelphia.

In its last two exhibition games against Green Bay and Washington, Pittsburgh’s starting offense has produced only a field goal.

Philadelphia will be playing for the first time since the release of middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter. Omar Gaither has replaced the popular Trotter.

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bob.mieszerski@latimes.com