If only getting through to the Olympics had an easier way. Even after winning the mixed doubles French Open finals, Sania Mirza is counting on a wild card entry to get her a ticket to the golden games 2012.
Sania Mirza's Olympic Dream
This was Sania Mirza’s second grand slam with Mahesh Bhupathi however it looks like she may be paired with India’s other star, Leander Paes instead. She must maintain a top 10 rank in the doubles section if she is to get to be a part of the summer Olympics and despite having a sensational season, is falling short. If she is not able to clutch on to the tenth rank then only a wild card entry will be able to save her.
There is a meeting to be held on June 15th where the selectors will decide on the players and their particulars regarding the Olympics. This will perhaps be the most crucial time for the tennis player as she crosses her fingers and gathers all her luck in pray that she gets through. Up till now the two players who have gotten the wildcard entry (out of the total four) are Paraguay’s Verónica Cepede Royg and Liechenstein’s Stephanie Vogt.
After Sania lost her first match in Paris, the tenth rank seems to have left through the nets and it is now up to AITA secretary general Anil Khanna to help get Mirza in. Khanna is currently in Prais due for talks with the International Tennis Federation. He did add before leaving that he would try his hardest to get her a wildcard entry through all ways he is capable of and was confident that it would happen.
The pair that is likely to get a nod at the moment seems to be of Paes and Sania. He said that just because of the fact the it was Sania with Bhupathi winning the French Open finals does not mean that they get the yes.
“Winning the French Open title doesn’t mean that Sania and Bhupathi will automatically pair up for the Olympics. If Sania and Bhupathi have to be the combination for London then they should be among the top 10 in the doubles rankings when the selectors meet on June 15. Bhupathi (World No.13), Rohan Bopanna (12)may go down further after their early exit from Paris. Paes (7) may still stay below 10 to make it to London and in that case he is likely be paired with Sania.”
Tags: French Open, London Olympics 2012, Mahesh Bhupathi, Olympics, Sania Mirza, Tennis
