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The draws for the tennis event at the Tokyo Olympics were announced on Thursday. Sumit Nagal, who will compete in the men’s singles, has been handed an easy match in round one. But it is the second round where he will be tested to the limit.
The women’s doubles pair of Sania Mirza and Ankita Raina, on the other hand, face a tough first-round match.
The Tokyo Olympic tennis event will begin on July 24 at Ariake Tennis Park.
Tokyo Olympics tennis Draw: Men's singles
Sumit Nagal will lock horns against World No. 197 Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan in Round one. Istomin, 34, should be an easy opponent for Nagal, and the Indian is expected to cruise past him.
Nagal could, however, face World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev of Russia in the second round. And in the unlikely event that Nagal manages to pull off an upset, he could face 15th seed Fabio Fognini of Italy in round three, followed by Andy Murray or Felix Auger-Aliassime in the quarterfinals.
Also read: Tokyo Olympics 2020: Top 5 contenders for the gold medal in the women's singles event
Needless to say, Sumit Nagal will have to bring in his 'A' game to stand a chance of featuring in the final four at the Tokyo Olympics.
Tokyo Olympics tennis draw: Women's doubles
If Sumit Nagal’s draw seemed tough, then India’s women’s doubles pair of Sania Mirza and Ankita Raina’s have an even more treacherous route to the final.
Mirza and Raina will kick off their Tokyo Olympics campaign against World No. 48 Lyudmyla Kichenok and World No. 44 Nadiia Kichenok of Ukraine.
If they win, the Indian pair will take on the eighth seeded pair of Nicole Melichar and Alison Riske (USA). Mirza and Raina could then face third seeded pair Kiki Bertens and Demi Schuurs of the Netherlands, if they manage to qualify for the quarterfinals.
Also read: Top 5 contenders for the gold medal in the men's singles event at Tokyo Olympics
Tennis at the Tokyo Olympics
Dates: Saturday, 24 July to Sunday, 1 August
Venue: Ariake Tennis Park
Surface: Outdoor hard (DecoTurf, the same surface used for the US Open and the Cincinnati Masters)
Live Streaming: Sony Sports Networks
