India at Beijing Olympics 2008: India's Tennis Hopefuls

The Olympics are here again. But India's performance in the Olympics till date has not been so impressive. This year, with the hockey team out of the medal contingent, we can at least look up to tennis for some consolation..

This time Indian Tennis squad will be represented by Sania Mirza and world famous duo of Leander Paes – Mahesh Bhupatahi. Mirza, India’s female tennis sensation will participate in singles as well as doubles with her partner Sunitha Rao. After suffering from injury for a long time Mirza has recently made a come back. Due to her in and out intervals, she could not maintain her winning steak and her position has also dropped in the latest world rankings. But the Hyderabadi girl while talking with media recently was looking highly optimistic for the Olympic medal.

Following a long series of tit-bits, Paes and Bhupatahi got ready to play together for India in Beijing Olympics. Both these players have lots of potential, so we can hope medal in tennis for India. Besides, female tennis players Mirza and Rao too have the caliber to win medal.

Also Read:
India at Beijing Olympics 2008: The Indian Squad
Indians to watch out for in the 2008 Beijing Olympics
Indian Athletes Competing in The 2008 Beijing Olympics
India's Best Shooters at The Beijing Olympics 2008

Here's a Look at Our Tennis Hopefuls from The Indian Squad at the 2008 Beijing Olympics:

Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes (Men's Doubles)

Once the world’s No one double pair, Paes – Bhupathi have won three grand slam titles together and they also ruled over world tennis for couple of years. The pair ruled the World doubles circuit by reaching the semi-finals of 3 grand slams, the Australian Open, the French Open and the US Open.

But a cold war begun between them on the issue of prize money distribution and other undisclosed matters. Paes – Bupatahi’s cold war turned into a nightmare for Indian tennis. These tennis stars made partnership with other tennis players, but couldn’t repeat the same magic.

The star tennis duo have kept aside their differences and come together to enhance India’s medal prospects in the Beijing Olympics, but whether the aging duo can recreate their magic remains to be seen. India's best chance to seal an Olympic medal with the 'Indian Express' pair of Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes joining hands and returning to the court for an Olympic medal quest.

Sania Mirza (Women's Single)

Sania Mirza's meteoric rise in the singles ranking has been a great achievement for the country's tennis sensation. India’s top-ranked tennis ace Sania has been given direct entry to the Beijing Olympics.

Sania, who has been battling with injury of late, will certainly be eager to make her mark by giving her best shot at the Olympics.

Sania became the first Indian woman tennis player to get seeding in any grand slam event. She had also become the first Indian to storm into the fourth round of a grand slam tournament at the 2005 U.S. Open

Sania Mirza and Sunitha Rao (Women’s Doubles)

India's top two ranked women tennis players Sania Mirza and Sunitha Rao, who make a lethal combination of class and power, will put up country's challenge at the Beijing Olympics.

The duo has been given a wild card entry to compete at the quadrennial extravaganza where they will vie for the gold medal among players from 21 nations which will be taking part in the women's doubles event.

Sunitha Rao is quite excited about her Olympic debut and also hopeful of winning a medal at the Olympics.

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