Istomin and Wang take big step toward Tokyo 2020

Denis Istomin and Wang Qiang took a significant step towards qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Tennis Event after winning singles gold medals at the Asian Games. 

As part of new rules introduced in February, players have the chance to earn their place in the Olympic Tennis Event through success at one of the regional multi-sport games, including the 2018 Asian Games and 2019 African and Pan American Games.

Istomin, of Uzbekistan, and Wang, of China, seized that chance, with the former defeating China's Wu Yibing in the men's singles final in Palembang, Indonesia, last week, and Wang overcoming Zhang Shuai in the women's singles final.

As a result of their triumph, they will qualify for one of six Continental Qualification places in each of the men's and women's singles events at Tokyo 2020, provided their ranking is within the Top 300 on the singles rankings of 8 June 2020, and provided the quota for that nation has not yet been filled by four direct acceptances.

Each singles draw in the tennis event at Tokyo 2020 will comprise 64 players, with a maximum of four players per nation. There will be 56 direct acceptances as at previous Games, and eight ITF places, including the six Continental Qualification places.