As the second Thursday dawns on Wimbledon, we are finally going to witness one of the most endangered species at this tournament - a complete day of tennis without rain interruption. Of course, weather forecasting is the only job in the world where you can never be fired even if you're wrong.

Nevertheless, fingers crossed we can all  enjoy a fascinating day's play, with a line-up of matches that resembles the special second Monday of Wimbledon more than what was originally scheduled as men's semi-final day.

Venus Williams vs. Svetlana Kuznetsova
At first glance one would think Venus should run away with this match, considering her remarkable performance against Anna Sharapova and her grass-court pedigree. However, Kuznetsova has made her way through the draw without much fuss, and has been playing some excellent tennis at net. Furthermore, there can be no possible way that Venus is going to maintain that same ruthless standard two days in a row.

'If Youzhny takes the first set, then he is odds-on to win, no matter how well Nadal fights'


That being said, Williams at 75% is good enough to beat almost any opponent on Centre Court. Just don't expect Svetlana to roll over. There is a strong chance that Kuznetsova can snatch a set before Venus rises to the occasion again and wins in three.

Ana Ivanovic vs. Nicole Vaidisova
Other than the fact that this is every male fan's dream match, this encounter could be the beginning of a fierce rivalry in women's tennis. These two are the young guns of the new generation, and it's only a matter of a year or two before they start playing each other in later stages of grand slams.

Ivanovic has certainly had a tremendous season so far, and has followed up her appearancein the Roland Garros final quite impressively by making the last eight over here. However, Ivanovic hasn't looked extremely convincing so far, and hasn't quite grasped the grass-court concept. Vaidisova, on the other hand, has all the momentum on her side, after a fantastic victory over defending champ Amelie Mauresmo. Add into the mix her hard hitting, and it appears her big game on grass should carry her over Ivanovic in straight sets, as long as she maintains her composure.

Rafael Nadal vs. Mikhail Youzhny
A repeat of their terrific match at the US Open last year. This should turn out to be another extremely tough for match for the King of clay after his amazing encounter with Robin Soderling. Youzhny is the kind of player who somehow always seems to raise his game when he plays an opponent of higher calibre.

Make no mistake, Youzhny certainly has the game on crass to repeat the demolition job he performed on Nadal at Flushing last year. That being said, it all depends on how well he comes out of the blocks. If Youzhny takes the first set, then he is odds-on to win, no matter how well Nadal fights. However, if Nadal starts off well, then the young Spaniard should make the last eight.

Tomas Berdych vs. Jonas Bjorkman
A youngster who is on the threshold of his first Grand Slam final. On the other side, a veteran who simply doesn't know how to quit. He might have the guile and the experience, but can Bjorkman hold his own against the power and offence of Berdych's power game? The answer, quite frankly, is no. Can't see anything other than a straight-sets victory for the Czech here.

Novak Djokovic vs. Lleyton Hewitt
Like his fellow Serb Ana Ivanovic, Djokovic has had a breakout season. Like Ivanic, he hasn't looked all that convincing on grass. Yet his spirit and excellent baseline play bare parallels only to few. Unfortunately for him, one of those few is the last man to win Wimbledon before Roger Federer - Hewitt. The former champ's experience with the subtleties of the surface should see him through in five tough sets.

Nikolay Davydenko vs. Marcos Baghdatis
Considering the games of these two players, the Cypriot really should have too much for the Russian. However, Davydenko is an extremely dangerous player who always makes it to the latter stages of the Grand Slams. Baghdatis certainly has the better shot-making ability and it should count on grass. However, this result hinges on which Baghdatis shows up. If he misses his shots, then the under-rated Davydenko could even dismantle  Baghdatis in straight sets. If Marcos connects well, then with the crowd behind him he should win in four close sets.

Roger Federer vs. Juan Carlos Ferrero
Can any sports writer objectively put together a pre-game analysis of a Federer match on grass? Well, the objectivity is only in the inevitable conclusion that he will win. Meanwhile, all we can say is 'well done Ferrero' for making it this far on grass.

Andy Roddick vs. Richard Gasquet
Both players have yet to drop a set - and both will do so in this match. While Gasquet hasn't been observed by many of the pundits, his form has been superlative, and the quality of his game sensational. Roddick, on the other hand, has made it through in business-like fashion, holding his serve and winning tie-breakers while rarely convincing with all his court game.

In fact, in his last game against Paul-Henri Mathieu, Roddick showed a lot of cracks, and he is suspect in any rally that goes more than six shots against a good baseline player. If Mathieu hadn't demonstrated an exasperating choking ability, Roddick could have had a tougher time. Gasquet isn't going to choke like Mathieu, and there is a genuine chance he can upset Roddick if he keeps his focus. Roddick certainly has the edge if it goes to a fifth set because of his serve and greater experience. Too close to call, but could be the Frenchman's coming.