AITA announces teamn for Asian Games, Asian Hopman Cup

New Delhi, Sep 12 (UNI) Leander Paes and Sania Mirza will represent the nation in the inaugural Asian Hopman Cup and the Indian contingent for Doha Asian Games will comprise six men and as many women, the All India Tennis Association (AITA) said here today.

After the selection committee meeting chaired by Shyam Minotra, AITA announced that Leander and Sania would spearhead the Indian challenge in the Asian Hopman Cup.

AITA also announced the Indian contingent for the Asian Games.

The men's team consists of Leander, Mahesh Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna, Harsh Mankad, Karan Rastogi and Prakash Amritraj.

The women's team consists of Sania, Shikha Uberoi, Ankita Bhambri, Isha Lakhani, Rushmi Chakravarthi and Sandhya Nagaraj.

India has named two doubles pair, Paes-Bhupathi and Amritraj-Bopanna, in the men's section and as many -- Sania-Shikha and Ankita-Isha -- in women category.

Bronze medallist in the last edition, Leander will team up with Sania again in the mixed doubles where Bhupathi would be partnered by Shikha.

AITA will later announce names of the singles players.

Prakash Amritraj and Karan Rastogi have been named reserve players in the men's section while Rushmi Chakravarthi and Sandhya Nagaraj will provide the bench strength in the women category.

Meanwhile, AITA also announced the team for the Indo-Pak series and as requested by Davis Cup captain Paes, named a four-member team for the event. Rohan Bopanna, Karan Rastogi, Divij Sharan and Vivek Shokeen will play the matches aganist their Pakistani opponent on November 6 (Islamabad), 8 (Lahore), 10 (Chandigarh) and 12 (Gurgaon).

Akhtar Ali has been named the non-playing captain of the side.

Asian Hopman Cup Team: Leander Paes and Sania Mirza Asian Games Team: Men: Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna, Harsh Mankad, Karan Rastogi and Prakash Amritraj.

Women: Sania Mirza, Shikha Uberoi, Ankita Bhambri, Isha Lakhani, Rushmi Chakravarthi and Sandhya Nagaraj.

Indo-Pak Series Squad: Rohan Bopanna, Karan Rastogi, Divij Sharan and Vivek Shokeen.

UNI AY YA KN1827