Tokyo: India’s Sumit Nagal will open his Tokyo Olympics campaign against Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan in the men’s singles first round, the draws were announced Thursday. The women’s doubles pair of Sania Mirza and Ankita Raina will face Ukrainian pair Liudmyla Kichenok and Nadiia Kichenok in their opening round fixture.
Nagal, who qualified for the Tokyo Olympics at the last moment after several big withdrawals, has been pitted against a lower-ranked opponent and if everything goes well, the Indian could face second-seeded Russia’s Daniil Medvedev. Medvedev takes on Alexander Bublik in his opener.
Incidentally, Sania had paired up with Nadiia to win the Hobart Open women’s doubles title this year after returning from her maternity leave. On the other hand, recently-crowned Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic will have his men’s singles first Tokyo Olympics showdown against Bolivia’s Hugo Dellien.
Local favourite Naomi Osaka faces Zheng Saisai of China in her opener as she aims for Japan’s maiden Olympics tennis gold. Women’s singles Wimbledon champion Ashleigh Barty will make her Olympics debut against Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo.
Reigning men’s singles Olympic champion Andy Murray of Great Britain will launch his Tokyo Olympics bid against Canadian Felix Auger Aliassime. Meanwhile, tennis fans around the world will be missing Swiss Roger Federer and Spaniard Rafael Nadal who opted out due to injuries.
