Women's 1st Marquee Matchup: Wimbledon Round of 16

Here's a tennis barnburner folks: Maria Shriekapova takes on Venus "V" Williams in the Round of 16. Shrieka won her 3rd rounder over the weekend against Japan's Ai "Sugs" Sugiyama, winning match point as the rains (again) came pouring down. Venus wrapped up her struggle today against another Japanese player, Akiko Morigami, fighting through 3 sets and 14 double faults (ouch).

Ooooh, this is a good one people. I wish this was a little bit deeper into the tournament, but I'll take it. In their last meeting here in 2005, Shrieka was the defending champion and Venus was struggling. But Venus showed her champion spirit, out-slugged Shrieka in a 7-6, 6-1 win, and won an epic final defeating Lindsay Davenport 9-7 in the third set after saving 2 match points.

NBC's Bud Collins, who will be leaving his 35 year gig hosting 'Breakfast at Wimbledon', has predicted Venus will win this match AND get to the final. Do you agree?

(update: check out Matthew Cronin's scouting report on Shrieka v. Venus)

(images courtesy of AP Photos)