Bopanna enters top 10 in doubles rankings, secures berth to Rio

London, June 6 (IANS) India's doubles specialist Rohan Bopanna entered the top 10 in the men's doubles rankings on Monday to secure a direct entry at the forthcoming Rio Olympics.

Bopanna gained a place in the latest top 10 by default after he and Romanian partner Florin Mergea lost in the French Open quarter-finals.

The defeat of defending French Open champions Marcelo Melo and Ivan Dodig in the semi-finals ensured Bopanna's return to the top 10.

Veteran doubles specialist Leander Paes moved up five slots to 46.

Bopanna now can choose his partner for the men's doubles event among Paes, Purav Raja (103) Divij Sharan (114), Saketh Myneni (125), Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan (134) and Mahesh Bhupathi (164).

In the women's doubles rankings, Sania Mirza maintained joint world top position with Swiss partner Martina Hingis.

In the men's singles rankings, new French Open champion Serbian Novak Djokovic held on to his No.1 spot while Spaniard Rafael Nadal climbed a place to fourth.

Swiss Roger Federer, who did not play in Paris due to physical issues, maintained his third spot, while compatriot Stan Wawrinka fell to fifth after losing to second Andy Murray in the tournament's semi-finals.

In the women's singles, America's Serena Williams led the rankings, while Spanish player Garbine Muguruza climbed to second for the first time after winning the French Open title.

Muguruza defeated Williams 7-5, 6-4 on Saturday at the French Open final.

--IANS

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