Barty's exit leaves Djokovic as sole singles world No.1 in Tokyo

After Ashleigh Barty crashed out at the first hurdle, a look at Novak Djokovic’s path to singles gold. 

2 min
Barty despair
(2021 Getty Images)

World No.1s and Wimbledon champions.

But only one remains at Tokyo 2020.

Novak Djokovic cruised through his opener on Saturday, but it was a very different story for Ashleigh Barty.

The Australian was dumped out by Spain's world number 48 Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-4 6-3.

Barty is still in with a chance of a medal on her Olympic debut as she partners Storm Sanders in the women's doubles.

Meanwhile, Djokovic is seeking his first Olympic gold which would put him one step away from becoming the first man to complete a calendar Grand Slam.

MORE: Follow tennis schedule, results and draws here

Let's take a look at his path to Olympic gold.

Djokovic: ‘Golden Slam’ still in sight

Djokovic has captured all three majors so far in the tennis season – retaining his Australian Open title before taking the French Open and winning Wimbledon.

He began his Tokyo campaign with a routine 6-2 6-2 win over Bolivia's Hugo Dellien.

"I was solid on the court," Djokovic said post-match. "[I] can always do better, but first match I’m satisfied.”

Djokovic, whose best Olympic performance is singles bronze at Beijing 2008, will next meet Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany, the world No.48. Djokovic is 5-0 career vs. the German

In the quarter-finals, Djokovic could meet No.5 seed Andrey Rublev or Rio 2016 bronze medallist Nishikori Kei of Japan; while Alexander Zverev and Hubert Hurkacz are potiential seeded foes in the semi-finals.

World No.2 Daniil Medvedev and French Open runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas are the top seeds on the bottom half of the draw, which also features two-time Olympic champion Andy Murray.

MORE: Updated men's singles draw

(2021 Getty Images)

Women's draw after Barty upset

Sorribes Tormo enjoyed the biggest win of her career over Barty and now faces France's Fiona Ferro with the winner likely to meet recent French Open finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

Among the big names in the top half of the draw are surprise French Open champ Barbora Krejcikova, number three seed Aryna Sabalenka and two-time major winner Garbiñe Muguruza.

Home favourite and second seed Naomi Osaka is at the opposite end of the bracket with a tantalising quarter-final against last year's French Open hero Iga Swiatek in prospect.

No.4 seed Elina Svitolina and Wimbledon runner-up Karolina Pliskova are the big names in the third quarter of the draw.

MORE: Updated women's singles draw

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