Serena, Venus Williams are best hope for a U.S. medal in tennis

BEIJING -- Sisters Serena and Venus Williams, among the United States' best hope for a tennis medal at the Beijing Games, were seeded fourth and seventh, respectively, in Thursday's draw. That placement meant they cannot play each other until the final.

The tournament begins here Sunday.

The Williams sisters, who won the gold medal in doubles in 2000 in Sydney, the same year Venus won gold in singles, are seeded No. 2 in doubles.

For the U.S. men, the best medal hope is the doubles team of Bob and Mike Bryan, who are seeded No. 1.

In men's singles, Switzerland's Roger Federer, still ranked No. 1 in the world as of the Aug. 4 cutoff for the Olympics draw, will be top-seeded as he attempts to win for the first time in three tries. The prospect of a rematch of his classic final against Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal of Spain remains one of the leading attractions of the Games, and with Nadal seeded second, their only meeting can be in the final.

With U.S. players Andy Roddick and Mardy Fish opting to skip the Olympics -- instead playing this week in the Countrywide Classic in Los Angeles -- the U.S. men will have three players, led by No. 8-seeded James Blake. Also playing for the U.S. are Sam Querrey and Robby Ginepri. Ginepri drew No. 3 Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the first round.

Other women playing for the U.S. in singles are former gold medalist Lindsay Davenport (1996, Atlanta) and veteran Jill Craybas. Davenport will also play doubles, teaming with Leizel Huber.

In men's doubles, Blake will play with Querrey. Federer and Nadal will also play doubles, Federer seeded fourth with Stanislaw Wawrinka and Nadal sixth with Tommy Robredo.