Tennis side solve doubles trouble

Palembang, Aug. 18: The Indian tennis contingent squad has finally figured out its doubles combinations less than 24 hours before the start of competition at the Asian Games here on Sunday, a far from ideal scenario courtesy Leander Paes’ sudden withdrawal. Unhappy with the team selection, Paes pulled out of the event last-minute throwing coach Zeeshan Ali’s plans haywire.

The singles entries were already decided and so was the doubles pairing of Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan. The other doubles and mixed doubles combinations were finalised after an intense training session yesterday evening. The two events have always been crucial for India at the Games where the country collected five medals four years ago including a mixed doubles gold, a silver and bronze in the men’s doubles besides a women’s doubles bronze. Ramkumar Ramanathan, who will be playing singles alongside Prajnesh Gunneswaran, will play the second men’s doubles with Sumit Nagal.

The captain was upset at having to choose between Ramanathan, Gunneswaran and Nagal as they are all singles specialists. Ali has already said that Paes’ absence will be a big loss and the women’s unit will have to fight for medals without Sania Mirza. The choice in the mixed doubles is interesting. Besides their singles duty, Ankita Raina and Karman Kaur Thandi will be playing mixed doubles with Bopanna and Sharan respectively.

Doubles player Prarthana Thombare has been ignored for mixed doubles and will only play doubles with Raina, who will be playing three events. Rutuja Bhonsale and Pranjala Yadlapalli will be the other women’s doubles duo. Ali reiterated that rankings were not considered before the doubles selection and the decision was based on the best team combination.