Olympics Tennis 2012: Previewing Top Matchups from Men's and Women's Draw

The draws were announced on Thursday for the Olympic tennis tournament, both for the singles and doubles competition (mixed doubles draw will be announced next week).

The first look at the draw seems to predict the repeat of a Roger-Serena show at Wimbledon.

Though their draw seems to be relatively easier than their rivals, there are some interesting lineups on the way.

Based on form and experience on grass (especially Wimbledon SW19), both Federer and Williams can safely be the odds-on favorite to win the gold this time—the missing piece of statistic on their impressive resume.

Let's look at the matches that we can expect to light up the tournament.

Azarenka vs Venus

The current No. 1 meets the legendary Venus Williams in the quarterfinal matchup.

If Venus is on her game, there is no way Azarenka will win the match.

Victoria has not been able to move beyond the quarters at Wimbledon, while Williams is a legend on the SW19 courts.

Venus has won the two matches played between the two and if fitness permits, this match will have the same end-result.

Djokovic vs Roddick

Unfortunately for Andy Roddick, he has been drawn to meet Djokovic in the second round of the Olympics competition.

This is assuming Klizan and Fognini are consigned to history in the first round by Roddick and Djokovic respectively.

Roddick likes the Wimbledon grass (three final appearances), but his form seems to have deteriorated quite a bit in the last few years.

This year though, he is coming on the back of a tournament win and will be determined to extend his career domination (record of 5-2) over the World No. 2.

Kvitova vs Radwanska

Agnieszka Radwanska comes into the tournament, ranked No. 2 and flush from a finals appearance at Wimbledon.

Petra Kvitova was the Wimbledon champion in 2011. In the quarterfinals, both players will likely face each other on a surface that is very familiar to their game.

On form, Radwanska should go through, but with her left-handed game, Kvitova will be more than a handful to deal with.

Tsonga vs Raonic

Raonic has notched up impressive victories on the circuit this year.

The Canadian will most likely face Frenchman Tsonga in the second round.

With his powerful serve, Raonic has climbed up the charts from the lowly 150s to the top 20s in the world, but his record at Wimbledon has not been great (not going beyond the second record).

Tsonga has always done well on the Wimbledon courts and this matchup is going to be a delight for tennis fans.

Radwanska vs Sharapova

The current Wimbledon finalist versus the current French Open winner.

On form, this (likely) semifinal matchup is sure to delight fans.

Maria's form has been on the upward except for a blip at Wimbledon.

After the much-needed rest, Sharapova will be looking forward to revenge for a defeat she suffered at Radwanska's hands at the Sony Ericsson Open.

Isner vs Federer

A mouth-watering quarterfinal lineup between John Isner and Roger Federer is on the cards.

The highest-ranked American player is doing all the right moves to ensure that he is not remembered only for his marathon match against Nicolas Mahut.

In February 2012, Isner defeated Roger Federer in the Davis Cup match, but lost in the following month in the ATP Tour finals in Indian Wells.

Definitely a match to look forward to.

Tsonga vs Djokovic

A likely quarterfinal opponent for Novak Djokovic will be the Frenchman Tsonga.

Tsonga has reached the semifinals in Wimbledon for the last two years just like Djokovic. Djokovic is on a mission to better his silver medal at Beijing.

Expect a lot of fireworks in this match between two players who wear their hearts on their sleeve.

Between 2009 and 2010, Tsonga had won five matches against Djokovic against one loss.

Novak, however, has improved the record, but their matchup seems quite even so far.

Venus vs Serena

Another semifinal match that everyone is looking forward to is the matchup between the Williams sisters—pity that this couldn't be the finals!

Their rivalry has been much written about with the younger sister having the edge over the elder in terms of wins.

The sisters have played five matches at Wimbledon with Serena having won three of them.

Whoever wins this match will go on to win the gold.

Murray vs Djokovic

Djokovic leads the duel with Murray by eight wins to five.

The 2012 Australian Open semifinal match between the two should be a good pointer to what fans can expect between the two if they meet in the semifinals.

Murray's record at Wimbledon coupled with the crowd support, as well as Djokovic's relative dip in form, means that the Scot has a good chance to reach the gold medal match.

Sharapova vs Serena

It is expected that Serena will win the matchup against Venus in the semifinals and play Maria Sharapova in the finals.

Having won her fifth Wimbledon title this year, Serena will definitely be looking forward to a repeat performance at the same courts.

Sharapova will have to recover from her shock exit to mount a strong performance against Williams.

Del Potro vs Federer

Ever since Del Potro stopped Federer in the 2009 US Open final, Roger's Grand Slam wins have decreased.

Del Potro is the only person who has won a Grand Slam other than the troika of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic in the last six years.

Though he has not gone beyond the fourth round in Wimbledon, Del Potro has the game to trouble Federer on his day.

Federer vs Murray

Last time the two played against each other, the result was Roger Federer winning his seventh title at Wimbledon as well as retaining his No. 1 ranking.

Federer will start as the favorite in this match, provided both make it through the draw.

By his all-round game and extraordinary record to boot, Federer will overcome whatever Murray (and his coach Lendl) will throw at him.

Will Andy Murray gain revenge on Federer on the same courts with vocal support from his home crowd?

Or will it be Federer putting all his detractors to silence by filling the Olympics (singles) void on his resume?

Most likely it will be Federer at the top.