By Tom Perrotta

Victoria Azarenka (BLR) vs. Nadia Petrova (RUS) – Court 3: 2nd match

On Court 3, we have the young woman from Belarus, Victoria Azarenka, with a promising future at Wimbledon (and elsewhere) and a 26-year-old from Russia, Nadia Petrova, who by now should have had many great moments here (and elsewhere) but hasn't. Azarenka has been on the short list of up-and-comers for a few years and this tournament is the best chance she's had to show everyone why. Now that Maria Sharapova is out of the tournament, Azarenka is one of several women who should be asking herself, why not me? The semifinals are there for the taking, and Azarenka's solid serve and booming forehand are good on grass (she's lost six games total in two matches). Petrova's game is near perfect for the lawns. The Russian reached the quarterfinals here in 2005 and has all the physical tools a tennis player could ask for: height, strength, speed, agility, and reach. If only her mind were as fit. If that holds up, she'll win. If not, she won't.

Prediction: Azarenka

Radek Stepanek (CZE) vs. Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) – Court 2: 3rd match

After injuring his rib in Nottingham last week, Stepanek thought he might have to skip Wimbledon. Instead, he escaped the second round after losing the first two sets. Stepanek's serve, flat strokes, and powerful volleys make him a threat at this tournament—he's just the sort of player Nadal might struggle with. So is Stepanek's opponent on Saturday, Mikhail Youzhny. The Russian won the first two sets against Nadal at Wimbledon last year before his back tightened up and Nadal got rolling. Youzhny has every shot in the game and one of the prettiest, and deadliest, one-handed backhands you'll ever see. All this firepower ought to produce some memorable points.

Prediction: Stepanek

Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs. Nicolas Kiefer (GER) – Centre Court: 3rd match

In 2005, Roger Federer lost one set in winning the Wimbledon title. The man who took it from him? Nicolas Kiefer. Kiefer has given Federer fits on other surfaces, too, but don't underestimate his grass court credentials. His serve is deceptive. His volleys are solid. He returns well and moves well, too. All that said, he'll have to play beyond his level of several years ago to beat Nadal, who has not hit full stride at this tournament but already looks formidable. Kiefer might take a set, but it will be near impossible to steal three of them.

Prediction: Nadal