Olympics: Djokovic draws Delpo in first round

In an incredible turn-up at the Olympic Tennis Event draw ceremony, world No.1 and top seed Novak Djokovic has drawn the dangerous Juan Martin del Potro in the first round.

Del Potro, currently ranked 145th but who is using a protected ranking of No.7 to gain entry to the draw, beat Djokovic in the bronze medal match in London 2012.

Djokovic has never before won an Olympic singles gold medal, practically the only major tennis milestone he is yet to reach.

It was just one of a number of tough first-round matches pulled out of the hat for the men, with Andy Murray drawn against Viktor Troicki, Rafa Nadal v Federico Delbonis and Kei Nishikori v Albert Ramos.

> view the complete Olympic Tennis Event draws

On the women’s side, Serena Williams will begin her campaign for yet another Olympic Gold medal against Aussie Daria Gavrilova. The pair have only met once before, with Serena cruising to a comfortable win in Doha.

If Serena and Venus (who plays Kirsten Flipkens) can maintain their winning ways at the Olympics, they are on course for a semifinal clash.

Of the other big names in the draw, Garbine Muguruza undoubtedly faces the toughest task. The Spaniard – who is competing at her first Olympics – faces Jelena Jankovic in the opening round. Meanwhile, Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber will hope to brush aside Mariana Duque Marino.

Elsewhere, Genie Bouchard and Sloane Stephens will face off in a tough, tight first round tussle.

Play kicks off at Rio’s Olympic Tennis Centre on Saturday.

Men’s singles – notable matches

Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs Juan Martín del Potro (ARG)

Malek Jaziri (TUN) vs Jo Wilfried Tsonga (FRA)

Rafel Nadal (ESP) vs Federico Delbonis (ARG)

Borna Coric (CRO) vs Gilles Simon (FRA)

Gael Monfils (FRA) vs Vasek Pospisil (CAN)

Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) vs Marin Cilic (CRO)

Albert Ramos (ESP) vs Kei Nishikori (JPN)

David Ferrer (ESP) vs Denis Istomin (UZB)

Viktor Troicki (SRB) vs Andy Murray (GBR)

Women’s singles – notable matches

Serena Williams (USA) vs Daria Gabrilova (AUS)

Garbiñe Muguruza (ESP) vs Jelena Jankovic (SRB)

Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) vs Shuai Zhang (CHN)

Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) vs Venus Williams (USA)

Ana Ivanovic (SRB) vs Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP)

Saisai Zheng (CHN) vs Agnieszka Radwanska (POL)

Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) vs Sloane Stephens (USA)

Mariana Duque Marino (COL) vs Angelique Kerber (GER)