Serena Williams has received the top-seed in the women’s singles draw at the Rio Olympics. The American is seeking to duplicate her double from London where she not only took home gold in singles but paired with sister Venus to capture the women’s doubles gold medal as well. However, despite a number of withdrawals prior to the tournament, there will be formidable opposition awaiting her.

Williams appears to be in a good position early in the draw. She meets the feisty Daria Gavrilova in the opening round but will be a heavy favorite. However, it could become interesting in the second round if she were to face Alize Cornet, a player who actually has a better head-to-head record. Cornet has defeated the world no. 1 four times to just three career defeats.

If Williams advances, she would likely face either Heather Watson, Andrea Petkovic or Elina Svitolina. Serena would have a big advantage over Watson on the hard-courts, as well as Petkovic, who has struggled with injury. Svitolina has yet to defeat the 34-year old on 4 attempts.

Petra Kvitova or Ekaterina Makarova would most likely be favorites to face Williams in the quarterfinals. Makarova has found success in the past on the hard-courts with her power game and if Kvitova can recapture her confidence, she has the experience and firepower to put up a strong battle if she were to advance. An interesting second-round match for the Czech could be a meeting with the always dangerous Caroline Wozniacki, despite her recent slump.

In the second quarter of the draw, Roland Garros champion Garbine Muguruza received no favors as she faces the veteran Jelena Jankovic in the first round. The winner of that match should be the favorite to reach a potential third round meeting with Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova who has played solid tennis of late.

The bottom portion of that quarter could be a battle as Timea Bacsinszky, Lucie Safarova and Venus Williams all lie in wait. One of these three will be the favorite to reach the quarterfinals. Williams most recently reached the final of the Bank of the West Classic behind a strong performance there. A second round match between Williams and Safarova could be a fight if the Czech is 100 percent. Safarova has won the last two matches against the American.

On paper, American Madison Keys has what appears to be a fairly smooth path to the quarterfinals in the third quarter of the draw.  Frenchwoman Kristina Mladenovic could present a test before Keys could face Ana Ivanovic. However, the Serb has a tough test in the opening round against Carla Suarez Navarro but conventional wisdom would give her an advantage on the hard surface, despite her recent struggles.

In the bottom half of this quarter, the steady Agnieszka Radwanska looks to have a strong advantage with her toughest test coming in perhaps a second-round match against 19-year old Daria Kasatkina. The Russian arrives in Rio fresh off of a quarterfinal run in Montreal that included victories against Sam Stosur and Roberta Vinci. However, the two have never faced each other. If the favorites prevail, a Radwanska-Keys quarterfinal match would be a contrast in styles with the counter-punching Pole facing the power game of Keys.

The bottom quarter has the potential for some interesting matchups as second-seeded Angelique Kerber will likely face the winner of an intriguing Sloane Stephens-Eugenie Bouchard first round match. Stephens tends to be streaky, while Bouchard has recently shown some glimpses of the player who, not too long ago, went deep into tournaments. The ever tough Stosur could await whoever were to advance from this group.

Meanwhile, Johanna Konta and Svetlana Kuznetsova appear to be on a collision course to meet with the winner advancing to the quarterfinals. Konta has had a strong summer, most recently taking the title in Stanford.

Interestingly, the Williams sisters would have to face each other in the semifinals if both were to advance. There is also the possibility of a Muguruza-Serena semi-final, as well. This would be a rematch of the French Open final where the Spaniard broke through for her first major title.

If Kerber survives, she could see either Keys or Radwanska in the other semi-final with perhaps Konta or Kuznetsova as a dark horse to break through.

Meanwhile, If both Serena and Kerber advance to the finals, it would be the third time the two have squared off in major events this year. Kerber won the Australian Open while Serena took Wimbledon.