Federer is good. So good that when the Chilean Gonzalez forced Federer to fight hard for a victory, Federer fought hard, showed his greatness yet once again, and showed no weakness.

Gonzalez played good. So good infact that he forced Federer to raise his game a gear. Federer fought and Federer came out triumphant. But was Federer stretched? No. He gave the impression he still had another gear he could raise when needed. Maybe that will indeed be needed when he faces Hewitt.

Roddick was troubled by Grosjean though and how he fares versus Johansson remains to be seen.

Venus versus Sharapova looks like a battle royal with the winner likely to face a rejuvenated Davenport in the finals. Or does Mauresmo have her own secret reserves to raise her game a few gears? We will know.

Its been raining every where, Calcutta, Edgebaston and Wimbledon. That didnt stop some excellent sports to ensue yesterday. Whether it was classic McEnroe playing doubles with Fleming with trademark Nadal pants, or Hayden and Jones slugging it on the cricket pitch or the pencil thin, still growing Sharapova as the commentator so aptly described her.

That the England-Australia match contained classic cricket with a tussle all the while, entrhalled me. The bouncers, the early stroke play from Martyn, the building of pressure from Giles and Flintoff before an excellent partnership between Hussey and Symonds got Australia out of trouble was a pleasure to watch.

And Gough struck again and Lee managed a few runs before a low scoring final over to balance it and make every one smack their lips.

Almost too early though as the rain gods had the last laugh.

So Wimbledon Quarters today and another classic tussle between Brazil and Argentina likely in football. The rain gods will hopefully take a rest for the sports gods to have the say on this day.