Sharapova faces Venus as men play catch up

LONDON, July 3 (Reuters) On a day normally reserved for women's quarter-finals, two former champions will contest a top-of-the-bill fourth round tie while eight men return for the rain-delayed conclusion of their third round matches.

Second seed Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams last met here in the 2005 semi-finals, with Williams winning on the way to her third Wimbledon crown Weather permitting, 2004 champion Sharapova, seeded 21 places ahead of her opponent, will have her chance for revenge as the third match on Centre Court Champion Amelie Mauresmo faces the sternest test of her defence yet when she opens on Centre Court against 2006 French Open semi-finalist Nicole Vaidisova in the fourth round.

French Open champion Rafael Nadal and 28th seed Robin Soderling will hope to conclude their third round contest, originally scheduled for last Saturday. The number two seed holds a 2-0 lead in the fifth set.

The 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt, fourth seed Novak Djokovic and sixth seed Nicolay Davydenko all hold the advantage as they too hope finally to progress to the fourth round.

REUTERS BJR VC1132