Tokyo Olympics draw: Djokovic in quarter with Rublev and half with Zverev

The draw for the men’s singles event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics was revealed on Thursday.

As the proceedings play out over the next week, all eyes will be on Novak Djokovic–who continues his quest for the calendar-year Golden Slam. The top-ranked Serb has already won the Australian Open, the French Open, and Wimbledon; he is a heavy favorite to become an Olympic champion, as well.

Djokovic is expected to win any tournament he enters regardless of the field, but he is an even bigger favorite than he otherwise would be in Tokyo because Rafael Nadal is out along with Roger Federer, Dominic Thiem, Matteo Berrettini, and Denis Shapovalov. That means exactly half of the top 10 is not participating.

If the draw plays out according to seed, Djokovic would face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the third round, Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinals, and Alexander Zverev in the semis. The 20-time Grand Slam champion will be taking it one step at a time, however, starting with Hugo Dellien in his opening match. Assuming Djokovic gets the job done, he would meet either Jan-Lennard Struff or Thiago Monteiro in the last 32.

First-rounders to watch on Djokovic’s side of the bracket are Rublev vs. Kei Nishikori, Gael Monfils vs. Ilya Ivashka, Hubert Hukacz vs. Marton Fucsovics, and Aslan Karatsev vs. Tommy Paul.

In the bottom half, Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas are on a collision course for what would be an intriguing semifinal showdown. Neither man, though, will get caught looking ahead. Up first for Medvedev is an in-form Alexander Bublik. Tsitsipas’ second-round contest could come against Frances Tiafoe, who just upset the fourth-ranked Greek at Wimbledon.

Perhaps the biggest blockbuster of all in round one is Felix Auger-Aliassime vs. Andy Murray. The winner could face Medvedev in the quarters and potentially Tsitsipas, Diego Schwartman, Karen Khachanov, or Ugo Humbert in the semis.