Stage set for Asian Hopman Cup 2006: Sania confident

Hyderabad, Nov 22 (UNI) Sania Mirza and Davis Cupper Rohan Bopanna will spearhead India's challenge in the first Asian Hopman Cup 2006 Mixed Tennis tournament to be held at SAAP tennis complex from tomorrow to November 26.

India will be a strong contender for the title even without Leander Peas, with Sania Mirza, and Rohan Bopanna (259) being far ahead in WTA and ATP rankings vis-a-vis their rivals.

The Indian pair has been given the top seeding and Ti Chen and I-Hsuan Hwang, the Chienese Taipei pair the second seeding.

Talking to UNI Sania Mirza said, 'Irrespective of the draw we are confident of beating the lowely ranked rivals.

''The mixed team event will help me to play better in the Doha Asian Games', Sania said.

Though she was a bit upset over the withdrawl of Leander, Sania said she was eagerly awaiting the opportunity to play with Rohan.

The teams: 1.India (Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna), 2.Chienese Taipei (Ti Chen and I-Hsuan Hwang), 3.Japan (Yuihi Sugita and Tomoko Yonemura), 4.Thailand (Weerapat Doakmaiklee and Nudnida Luangnam), 5.China (Mao-Xin Gong and Shuai Zhang), and 6.Philippines (Patrick John Tierro and Czarina-Mae Arevalo).

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