By Kamakshi Tandon

S. Kuznetsova (RUS) [5] vs. V. Williams (USA) [23]Centre Court – 11:00 am

Earlier this year, it was Serena’s turn to remind the tour that you can never count out a Williams sister. Is it now Venus’ turn? Two years ago, she came from nowhere to win the title, and she has a good shot at repeating the feat if she can reproduce the form she showed against Maria Sharapova for three more matches. Having said that, consistency has been Venus’ main problem this year and it’s not a sure thing that she will continue to reproduce that form.

Kuznetsova has quietly advanced to her third Wimbledon quarterfinal, attracting more attention for her newly-braided hair than anything else. She’s been playing solidly but has had an easy draw – both her opponent and the court she’ll be playing on will be a big step up from the rest of her matches this fortnight. She’s won their last two meetings, but both were on clay in Warsaw.

Prediction: Venus Williams

L. Hewitt (AUS) vs. [16] vs. N. Djokovic (SRB) [4]Court 1 – 11:00 am

This could be a long, intense battle between the veteran former champ and the rising young star. Djokovic probably has a greater ability to hit winners off the ground than Hewitt at this point, but he’ll have to rebound from the mental fatigue of his rain-interrupted match against Nicholas Kiefer. Hewitt also had a tough, stop-and-start contest against Canas, but finished a day earlier. He’s looking relaxed and playing well.

Prediction: Hewitt

A. Roddick (USA) [3] vs. R. Gasquet (FRA) [12]Court 1 – 2nd match

The bomber versus the stylist. Given that this is grass, the bomber probably wins. Roddick has taken care of business very well so far, and is mentally tougher than Gasquet right now. But the grass is playing slowly this year, so Gasquet should have a chance to get into the match and hopefully make it a decent contest.

Prediction: Roddick

M. Youzhny (RUS) [14] vs. R. Nadal (ESP) [2]Court 2 – 11:00 am

This match up is an intriguing one because of Youzhny’s two recent wins against Nadal –  at the US Open last year and Dubai this year. Nadal won their last meeting, which was on clay in Rome. Youzhny has been to the Round of 16 three times previously, so he’ll be looking to go one better this time.

Nadal won’t make it easy. Assuming he can bounce back from his Saturday-Wednesday third-round match – and all the irritable energy he expended – he should force Youzhny to hit more balls than the Russian can handle. But if Nadal does come out a bit spent, Youzhny’s game matches up well enough with his to put the Spaniard in trouble. These two are also playing on Court 2, the graveyard of champions – but Nadal hasn’t won this event yet, so that shouldn’t be a problem.

Prediction: Nadal