Olympic wild cards for Somdev, Sania

LONDON: India's Somdev Devvarman and Sania Mirza - with Chennai veteran Rushmi Chakravarthi - have been awarded wild card entries into the men's singles and women's doubles draw of the Olympic tennis competition to be played at the All England Club from July 28.
Besides the two wild cards, India has two direct entries in the men's doubles, where Leander Paes is partnered with Vishnu Vardhan and the world No.7 combine of Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna are paired together.
Sania's wild card entry will now turn the spotlight on a miffed Leander Paes who is yet to take a final call on his participation following the selection row over the men's doubles team.
In a compromise formula worked out by AITA, Paes was forced to play with 206-ranked Vishnu Vardhan in the men's doubles event against his wishes and was paired with Sania in the mixed section.
Paes had however not given his nod to the compromise deal, raising speculations on whether the veteran tennis player would indeed carry out his threat of boycotting the Games.
The two wild card entries meant India will be fielding its largest ever tennis contingent in the Olympics.
All India Tennis Association has received a letter from International Tennis Federation (ITF) president Francesco Ricci Bitti, stating that wild card applications for Sania and Somdev have been accepted.
Thirty-two teams will contest in the men's and women's doubles, with 24 direct acceptances and eight ITF places in both events.
Direct acceptances were based on the combined world rankings of each team on June 11, with each player using the better of their singles and doubles world ranking.
Any player ranked in the doubles Top 10 on June 11 was eligible for direct acceptance with a partner of any ranking.
Mixed doubles has been included in the Olympics for the first time since 1924.
Entries for the 16-team event will be determined on site from those players already participating in singles or doubles.
Teams have to be nominated by their National Olympic Committee by July 31. There will be 12 direct acceptances based on the combined world rankings of each team on June 11, and four ITF Places.
(With inputs from PTI)