Rio Olympics 2016: Mirza-Bopanna to play Australian pair of Stosur-Peers in mixed doubles first round

Can Sania-Bopanna win the gold?

Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna will be facing the Australian duo of Samantha Stosur and John Peers in the first round of the mixed doubles. The Indian pair are seeded 4th but are up against tough opposition.

The Indian pair have been ranked behind the two French pairs - Kristina Mladenovic/Pierre Herbert seeded 1, Caroline Garcia/Nicolas Mahut seeded 2 and the duo of Nadal and Muruguza seeded 3.

Earlier in the tournament Sania Mirza and her doubles partner, Prarthana Thombare crashed out in the first round to Chinese pair Shuai Peng and Shuai Zhang in three sets. The pair put up a brave fight but were eventually unsuccessful.

After losing the first set on tie-break, they fought back in the second to take it 7-5. But when they were tied for 5-5 in the third the Chinese broke and served out the set and match 7-5. But Mirza still has the chance to win a medal at the Olympics

Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna also lost their first round tie to Poland’s Lukaz Kubot and Marcin Matkowski. The straight sets defeat came as a shock with both players being experienced campaigners.

It has so far been a disappointing tournament for India and the country will be hoping the mixed doubles team can bring  home a medal. Several consider the Mirza-Bopanna pair ot be one of the strongest in the tournament.

Leander Paes is staying back at Rio to help the duo prepare for the match. 

More to follow...