Juan Martin del Potro’s day began getting stuck in an elevator but finished on a high note, beating the best tennis player in the world, Novak Djokovic, 76(4), 76(2) in the first round of the Rio Olympics tennis event.

After years of frustration with his wrist injuries, the victory was the biggest for the Argentine since beating Djokovic for the Bronze at the 2012 Olympics in London.

“It was a wonderful evening …

With emotions spilling out, Novak Djokovic called his loss last night to Juan Martin del Potro one of the toughest of his career. Djokovic was seeking a first gold medal in singles but his hopes were immediately dashed in the first round by the Argentine who blasted 29 forehand winners in a 76(4), 76(2) victory.

“No doubt it is one of the toughest losses in my life and in …

What an emotional end to the Olympic singles event for Novak Djokovic. The World No. 1 had targetted the Olympic gold in singles but was bounced out of the competition by Juan Martin Del Potro 76(4), 76(2) in the opening round in Rio.

And Djokovic couldn’t contain himself breaking down in tears as he left the court.

Serena Williams had an up-and-down day. The World No. 1 and reigning gold medalist took care of Daria Gavrilova in her Rio Olympic opener 6-4, 6-2.

But then later, she and sister Venus suffered their first loss in the Olympic doubles falling to the Czech team of Lucie Safarova and Barbora Strycova 6-3, 6-4. After 3 gold medals as a team, it was the Williams sisters first loss in 16 matches.

“It …

Novak Djokovic suffered his second shock in as many months. In July, Sam Querrey stunned the Serb in the Wimbledon third round. And tonight, Djokovic’s dream of a singles gold medal Olympic this year came to a crashing end at the powerful hands of Juan Martin del Potro.

The Argentine who a year ago was teetering on retirement, used his massive forehand to crack 29 of his 41 winners …

John Isner is the King of Atlanta no more.

Seeking to win a fourth straight Atlanta title on Sunday, the American was rebuffed in his homecountry by an Aussie as Nick Kyrgios won 7-6(3), 7-6(4) in the final of the BB&T Atlanta Open for his second career title.

“I knew it was going to be tough from the get-go,” said Kyrgios, who entered the match 0-2 career against Isner. “John is still …

Romania’s Irina-Camelia Begu and China’s Duan Ying-Ying won WTA titles over the weekend as the top players geared-up for the Rio Olympics.

Duan won a career-first title at the Jiangxi Open with a 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 upset over No. 6 seed Vania King in Nanchung, China on Sunday.

“I’m very happy to win my first ever WTA singles title, especially with my low back injury and the hot weather here,” said Duan …

The French had a good opening day in Rio with three players in the men’s field all advancing out of the first round.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga overcame trouble against Tunisian Malek Jaziri who served for the match in the second, to fight back and win 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.

“I was very concerned because I was thinking this may be my last Olympic Games,” said Tsonga. “The next one is in four years and …

On an upsetting opening day at the Rio Olympics, 4-time gold medalist and No. 5 seed Venus Williams was the big casualty falling to Belgium’s Kirsten Flipkens in the first round 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(5) in three hours, 13 minutes.

“My dream was to come to Rio, but to beat one of the greatest champions, that’s a second dream coming true,” Flipkens said after the match.

Flipkens, who was making her Olympic debut, …

Like the Fed Cup on steroids, the Olympics lend themselves to greater and more frequent upsets as some players choke, and some player play well above their grade in the quest for gold, silver and bronze.

Here’s how the draw breaks down for the women’s 2016 Rio Olympics tennis singles:

TOP QUARTER

Seeds: (1) Serena Williams, (6) Roberta Vinci, (11) Petra Kvitova, (15) Elina Svitolina

Floaters: Alize Cornet, Caroline Wozniacki

Notes: The world …

The Olympics begin on Saturday and despite all the withdrawals, the draw still packs a punch. And right off the bat it’s a rematch of the 2012 bronze match between World No. 1 Novak Djokovic and Juan Martin Del Potro. Wow!

And that’s not all. Former gold medallists Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal both have tests. Murray meets Viktor Troicki while Nadal faces Federico Delbonis. OK, neither are true world beaters …

On the eve of the draw, a few thoughts on the upcoming Olympic games and on its place in tennis and the favorites.

1. Does Tennis Belong In The Olympics?
I’m not 100% behind tennis being part of the Games. No one tunes into the Olympics exclusively for the tennis – no one I know of at least – because we see it and live it virtually every week of the year. …

The Olympics is upon us! And that means tennis stars mingling and oogling with other sporting stars. Such was the case earlier today when Novak Djokovic met 22-time gold medallist Michael Phelps.

Phelps x Djokovic, this team might be unbeatable at Water Tennis 💦🎾 (Photo @scottleightman) pic.twitter.com/6UelzINX6u

— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) August 3, 2016

So do you think if given the chance …

Wimbledon champion Andy Murray will be joined by rivals Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in the singles events, but Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka won’t be there, which disappoints the Scot.

“It was unfortunate with Roger [Federer] and Stan [Wawrinka]. They are two guys who are great players and capable of winning events like this,” Murray told ESPN. “It is a shame they aren’t here, but it is still a …

Rafael Nadal confirmed that he will play singles at the Olympics in Rio which begin on Saturday. Nadal had been nursing an injured left wrist which led to speculation the former 2008 gold medallist would be unable to play in the singles. But Tuesday, Nadal announced he would play in singles as well as doubles, and possible in mixed.

“The team and I decided that I am going to play,” said …