By Kamakshi Tandon

Maria Sharapova (RUS) [1] vs.  Serena Williams (USA) [13] Stadium 1 – 1:00 pm

This is the one everyone has been looking forward to ever since the draw came out. It’ll will be their sixth meeting, and if you throw out the first as too early in Sharapova’s career, all the contests have either been dramatic three-set affairs (the 2004 year-end championships final, the 2005 Australian Open semifinals) or shockingly easy for the underdog (the 2004 Wimbledon final, the 2007 Australian Open final).

The Sharapova we’ve seen in 2007 has not been the rock-solid version we saw in the second half of last year, and her recent trouble with double faults has been well-documented. Williams, meanwhile, doesn’t look too rusty despite being on the sidelines since Australia – a heckler in the stands seemed to trouble her more than either of her opponents so far. Though it looks like sister Venus (who lost to Sharapova in the third round) may not be around to give Serena some on-court coaching, she should be able to draw on the memories of that Australian Open demolition for confidence. Serving well will also be key.

Sharapova, meanwhile, has never had trouble shrugging off a bad loss, so expect her to come out firing and Williams to respond with equal intensity. It could get pretty noisy out there.

Predicition: Williams

Roger Federer (SUI) [1] vs. Guillermo Canas (ARG) (Q) Stadium 1 – Fourth match

Federer playing a qualifier doesn’t usually stir excitement, but the last time these two played, Canas wasn’t even a qualifier, he was a lucky loser – and won. That was just a couple of weeks ago in Indian Wells, of course, so it’s intriguing to see them meeting two tournaments in a row.

Earlier this month, Canas said his goal for Miami was to win the whole thing, but to do that now he’ll have to do something that no one except Rafael Nadal has done in years – defeat Federer twice in a row. “Just I have luck last week, and I'll try to have luck this week, too,” he said.

Canas won't roll over: he's grinding with the best of them these days and has had some solid wins to get this far – Tim Henman, Juan Carlos Ferrero, and Richard Gasquet. But still, it’s hard to see Federer getting caught again.

The danger for the sliken Swiss is that he hasn't looked very comfortable in the unsettled conditions during his first two matches, but still said he was hoping for a rematch with Canas this week. He’ll be determined to start quickly and not let the Argentine get on top of him like last time.

Prediction: Federer

Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) vs.  Rafael Nadal (ESP) [2] Stadium 2 – Sixth match

This will be the first time these two have met on tour, but one suspects it won’t be the last. At some point, the big game that belongs to the 18-year-old del Potro will be a tough challenge for the 20-year-old Nadal, but not quite yet. Del Potro can be broken down too easily at this point, and Nadal’s play at Indian Wells suggests he’s back to his old self. But the match is one to watch as a prelude to the future.

Prediction: Nadal