Buoyed by the Davis Cup feat, India’s racquet wielders are braced to dominate tennis, making its debut in the CWG. While they start outright favourites in mixed doubles and men’s doubles, a weakened draw could see them contend for gold in both men’s and women’s singles events.
Few would question the combined prowess of Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes. They shrug off their personal indifferences and flaunt an incredible chemistry. Interestingly, their stiffest competitors might be the Somdev Devvarman-Rohan Bopanna pair, that is if they decide to group in the doubles. Pakistani duo Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi & Aqeel Khan can’t be discounted either.
Australia’s Davis Cup specialist Paul Hanley is experienced, but he hasn’t partnered often with his teammates ? Matt Edben, Greg Jones or Peter Luczak. So to derail the Indian Express, in full steam, is an onerous task for them. Likewise, Bhupathi-Sania Mirza partnership could be tough to dislodge. The duo claimed the Australian Open last year, the first Indian mixed pair to do so. And the draw being lighter, it could be a cakewalk for them.
Unusually, India are vying for medals in singles, both men and women, as many stars have pulled out of the event, mostly as it clashes with international fixtures. There is every possibility that Somdev Devvarman would start as the top seed. It would be the first time any player ranked outside the top 100 would feature as the top seed.
Big serving Australian Peter Luczak, ranked 127, would be his nearest competitor. His Davis Cup teammate Rohan Bopanna can’t be disregarded either. Though his rankings are in wilderness, he exhibited in the Davis Cup that he can serve out more than a fight against top-100 players.
Somdev predicts a tough contest. “We have to respect the decision of every athlete. They are trying their best to preserve their bodies and are always trying to make the best decision for their careers. I think the Games are going to be exciting,” he said.
Likewise, Sania Mirza, ranked 111, is tipped to claim gold in the women’s singles. Her recent victory in Guangzhou and reaching the main draw of the US Open would usher in some confidence. The only player ranked above her is Australian Anastasia Rodionova, placed 62 in world.
The biggest story in Indian women’s tennis is former national champion Nirupama Sanjeev’s return after a seven-year hiatus. Nirupama, who won bronze with Mahesh Bhupathi in 1998 Asian Games, will team up with Bopanna as the second mixed doubles team, besides featuring in the singles.
Young Poojashree Venkatesh and Rushmi Chakravarthi, who would form the doubles team, complete the line-up. Coach Enrico Piperno said: “With home advantage, it’s just fair to say that India will begin as one of the favourites. Both Somdev and Sania are experienced players and are capable of getting gold medals in the singles. Also, Lee and Hesh are a league above the other doubles players. Mahesh and Sania, too, have a great chance of winning gold.”
What if it is a weakened draw, the medal-starved Indians would be more than happy to walk away with a large share of the Commonwealth Games pie.