Only Sharapova, Mauresmo Beat Rain at Wimbledon

Matches that never got underway in the third round were Rafael Nadal vs. Robin Soderling, Novak Djokovic vs. Nicolas Kiefer, Nikolay Davydenko vs. Gael Monfils, Marcos Baghdatis vs. David Nalbandian, Mikhail Youzhny vs. Jarkko Nieminen, Lleyton Hewitt vs. Guillermo Canas, and Jonas Bjorkman vs. Wayne Arthurs.

At least some rain is in the forecast for Monday through Wednesday next week at Wimbledon.

Sharapova, Mauresmo Beat Rains at Wimbledon

Only two matches were completed Saturday at Wimbledon due to rain, with No. 2 Maria Sharapova through to the 4th round after a 6-3, 6-3 win over No. 26 seed Ai Sugiyama, and No. 4 Amelie Mauresmo advancing after an easy 6-1, 6-2 romp over No. 28 seed Mara Santangelo.

Sugiyama tried to get her match with Sharapova postponed when a light drizzle began to fall but to no avail.

"It's not easy to make the decision to stop," Sugiyama said. "I couldn't really refuse to play. Yeah, not easy, that situation."

Matches suspended Saturday were (5) Svetlana Kuznetsova leading Agnieszka Radwanska 6-2, 4-3; (6) Ana Ivanovic leading Aravane Rezai 6-3; (11) Nadia Petrova leading Virginia Ruano Pascual 6-3, 3-1; (12) Elena Dementieva leading Tamira Paszek 6-3, 0-1; (14) Nicole Vaidisova leading Victoria Azarenka 6-4, 3-2; and (23) Venus Williams leading Akiko Morigami 6-2, 1-4.

No matches will be played during the traditional middle Sunday of rest at the All England Club.

At least some rain is in the forecast for Monday through Wednesday next week at Wimbledon.

TENNIS-X NEWS, NOTES, QUOTES AND BARBS
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