Wimbledon Odds: Rafael Nadal Favored to Breeze Through Second Round

Rafael Nadal aims to make quick work of his largely unknown opponent. (AI Wire photo)

The most fierce opponent for Rafael Nadal on Thursday figures to be the rain. His opponent at Wimbledon should be no problem for the 21-year-old trying to win a Grand Slam tennis tournament other than the French Open.

Nadal, the No. 2 seed, faces Werner Eschauer of Austria, a 32-year-old who is ranked 125 in the world. If Eschauer wants to linger in the spotlight he may want to invoke rain. The soggy weather in the United Kingdom, which is disastrous in some areas, has been a major pain for tournament organizers. Many matches on Wednesday were canceled or suspended, including the one featuring top seed Roger Federer. The four-time defending champ was up two seeds against Argentine teen Juan Martin Del Potro when officials called their match.

Nadal, who seems destined to face Federer in the final for a second year in a row, will go off as a massive favorite against Eschauer. The Spaniard, who has won three straight titles in Paris, holds Wimbledon odds of 5/1 to win it all. Nadal will be one of many big names on the courts at the All-England Club on Day 4.

On the women's side Thursday, Maria Sharapova is scheduled to face Severine Bremond of France, a woman who may not be a match on the court for the photogenic Russian but off the court she is a rival for the eyes. The attractive Bremond was a quarterfinalist at last year's Wimbledon.

Defending champion Amelie Mauresmo prepares to take on Austria's Yvonne Meusburger, who is 23 years old and making her Wimbledon debut. The precautionary bandage on Mauresmo's right thigh is testimony to ongoing groin problems, so she needs to proceed with care but should not need to do much else.

But her injury, as well as Sharapova's shoulder woes, are conditions tennis bettors should be wary of.

For complete Wimbledon odds for men and women, visit the Bodog Sportsbook. To read more about Roger Federer's quest to tie Bjorn Borg's record of five straight Wimbledon titles, read Bodog Nation.