Daniel Nestor is a realist.

While the Toronto doubles tennis star heads to Athens as a defending Olympic gold medallist, Nestor knows he's anything but a favourite to repeat his feat.

Nothing against Frederic Niemeyer -- Nestor's teammate in Athens -- but even the Quebecer acknowledges he can't be compared with Sebastien Lareau.

GOLD MEDAL

Four years ago in Sydney, Nestor and Lareau -- who spent most of 2000 teamed up on the ATP Tour -- captured one of Canada's three gold medals. Lareau also was an established ATP doubles player.

For Nestor, it's a much more daunting task this time around.

"For sure, we're kind of a dark-horse," Nestor said. "But we're a dangerous team. We can beat any team on any given day but, at the same time, we're not one of the favourites."

Unseeded in Athens, Nestor and Niemeyer have played together just four times in Davis Cup play. On the plus side, they won all four of those matches.

In early 2000, Nestor and Lareau broke up with their regular partners to prepare for Sydney. That wasn't a possibility for Nestor and Niemeyer this year as the latter focuses more on singles and doesn't have a high enough doubles ranking -- he was sitting in the No. 270-290 range last month -- to gain entry into many events.

When Nestor and Niemeyer tried to get some match time at an event in Los Angeles this summer, tournament organizers did not give the pair a wild card.

"It would have been better if we were playing together and had some matches, but we both know the job we have to do," Niemeyer said. "I think I'm a better doubles player than my ranking. I know we're capable of beating the best teams."

American twins Bob and Mike Bryan, longtime playing partners, appear to be the team to beat.

In an effort to improve chemistry, Nestor and Niemeyer practised together during Tennis Masters Canada in Toronto last month and scheduled five more days of practice in Athens before the start of the tournament.

Also, Niemeyer added an event in Denver to his schedule right after Tennis Masters Canada so he wouldn't be rusty for the Olympics.

Playing with Nestor, a consistent top-10 player in doubles, is a bonus for Niemeyer.

"It brings me positive thoughts," Niemeyer said. "If he's not the best doubles player, he's one of the best. Having him on my side gives me high confidence. It's easier for me to elevate my game with him on my side."

When Nestor is representing Canada, good things seem to happen. He is Canada's career leader in Davis Cup wins, with a record of 30-17. Not only does he have a 15-3 Davis Cup doubles record, he has recorded surprising singles victories against Marcelo Rios, Gustavo Kuerten and Stefan Edberg.

"It's always exciting (to play for Canada)," Nestor said. "You have a little more motivation. It all adds up to what usually is a better result."

TENNIS

Men's Doubles

- Mike Bryan and Bob Bryan, U.S.

Twins are top-ranked Olympic doubles team.

- Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi, India

Won Tennis Masters Canada in Toronto.