Rediff

Beijing, Jul 4: India will have a shot at an Olympic medal in the women's doubles tennis competition as well with Sania Mirza and Sunitha Rao getting a wild card entry to compete at the quadrennial extravaganza, beginning on August 8.

While Sania is India's number one player, US-based Sunitha is second highest ranked Indian in the WTA charts and has represented the country in the Fed Cup.

A senior official at the All India Tennis Association said they have received the official confirmation from the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

"We got a letter from the ITF yesterday [Wednesday] saying Sania and Sunitha, who were AITA nominations, have been approved a wild card entry for the women's doubles competition," the official said.

Sania has already been given a direct entry into the singles competition.

The tennis event will be played from August 10 to 17 at the new Olympic tennis centre in Beijing.

Players from 21 nations will participate in the women's doubles competition.

Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi will lead the Indian charge in the men's doubles after they set aside their personal differences and agreed to team up for the Olympics.