Olympics 2024: Sumit Nagal Handed Tough Draw; Rohan Bopanna-Sriram Balaji To Face French Duo in Opener

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Indian tennis stars set for French test in Paris Olympics 2024 openers as men's singles player Sumit Nagal as well as men's doubles pair Rohan Bopanna and N Sriram Balaji get to know their path following the draw on Thursday (July 25).

Nagal has been drawn to face French singles players Corentin Moutet, who he had beaten in April, but the Indian singles star could run into formidable Australian world number six Alex di Minaur in the second round if he wins the opener.

Nagal, ranked 80th in the world, shares a 2-2 head-to-head record with Moutet, who is placed 12 places above him in the ATP singles chart. If Nagal can clear the first round, he might face Wimbledon quarterfinalist Di Minaur in the second round.

Di Minaur, who withdrew from the last-eight Wimbledon clash against Novak Djokovic due to a hip injury last month, has been drawn to face German Jan-Lennard Struff in his opening round match.

The 26-year-old Nagal, who exited the singles competition in the second round on his Olympic debut in Tokyo 2020 following a defeat to Daniil Medvedev, will hope for a better showing this time around.

Meanwhile, Bopanna and Balaji have been drawn to meet the French team of Fabien Reboul and Edouard Roger-Vasselin. Bopanna has shared the court with Roger-Vasselin in the past on the ATP Tour.

Should Bopanna-Balaji pass the early test, then the Indian duo could face second seed pair from Germany, Kevin Krawietz and Tim Putz in the second round of the men's doubles competition in Paris.

This will be Bopanna's last chance to win an Olympic medal. He had finished fourth with Sania Mirza in the mixed doubles event at 2016 Rio Games. For Balaji this will be his first Olympic appearance.

Bopanna and Balaji will be in action on Saturday (July 27) for their opening round contest against Reboul and Roger-Vasselin, while Nagal's campaign opener against Moutet will be later, possibly on Sunday or Monday.