#TFGtake: Why anything less than a Bronze from Sania/Rohan will be unacceptable

IT’S NO SECRET that our chances of winning a medal in tennis in the ongoing Rio Games always lay in the hands of Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza. Furthermore, after the embarrassing exit of Bopanna and Leander Paes from the men’s doubles, the fans are strongly pinning their hopes on the mixed doubles duo. 

While the singles and doubles action has already reached its business end, the mixed doubles event will only commence tonight. Meanwhile, the draw ceremony was held yesterday and we now know that Bopanna/Mirza are seeded fourth, and will open their medal quest against Aussies John Peers and Samantha Stosur. 

Given the format, rules, draws, and experience, we are convinced that the Indian pair wouldn’t be doing justice to their fans if they come back home without a medal. 

Unlike, the other three events, (singles 4, men’s & women’s doubles 3); the mixed doubles format in the Olympics doesn’t require a team to win a handful of matches. In this format, a pair only has to win two matches to be in contention for a Bronze Medal, and if a pair can win three matches on the trot, then a Silver Medal is guaranteed!  

Furthermore, in the mixed doubles, there is no deciding set to be played. In a situation where both teams are locked at one set apiece, the winner will be determined by a shoot-out. This further reduces the stress and demands on the players. 

However, the biggest plus for Bopanna/Mirza is the fact that they have been handed out a relatively easy route til the semi-finals. Given the duo's experience and credentials on the doubles circuit, it is difficult to see them not getting past the Aussies, who only recently started playing together in the mixed doubles event. 

Moving onto the next round, Bopanna/Mirza could face Spaniards, Carla Suarez Navvaro/David Ferrer or Romanians, Florin Mergea/Monica Niculescu in the quarters. 

While Ferrer is predominantly a singles player on the ATP tour, Navarro too has little success to show in the doubles on the WTA scene. Both players will also be teaming up for the first time. On the other hand, if the Romanians make the cut, it will be interesting to see how Bopanna and Mergea approach things.

Both players are partners on the ATP tour and have tasted decent success in the men’s doubles. That said, Niculescu might just prove to be the weak link, and that is where India will score over the Romanians. 

Given Mirza’s dominance on the women’s tour along with her former partner Martina Hingis and Bopanna’s consistent showing on the men’s tour, it is difficult to bet against the two not reaching the semis. In fact, Bopanna/Mirza arguably have more experience than any other pair in the entire bottom half of the draw.  

Moreover, both have been playing together for a long time now and have openly discussed in public about their lovely on court chemistry. Although, they don’t play with each other on the pro tour these days, their contribution to India in the past certainly cannot be overlooked. 

Also, it’s not to be forgotten that most of the players are pairing up for the very first time and that too is likely to work in India’s favour. Both Bopanna and Mirza have openly expressed their desire to win a Medal for their country and have also exuded confidence in their media interactions. 

After the initial, humiliating defeats in the men’s and women’s doubles, Bopanna/Mirza will be under enormous pressure and may or may not win the Silver or Gold Medal. That said, given the factors mentioned above, it would be nothing short of a disappointment to see the duo return empty handed from Rio.