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[dextrous]

India Add Sparkle to Hopman
16/10/2007

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The surprise package of last year’s Hyundai Hopman Cup - India, represented by Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna have today been confirmed as the fourth team for Hopman XX.

Mirza and Bopanna played last year after qualifying through winning the inaugural Asian Hopman Cup.  For Indian fans the excitement built when India upset both Croatia and the Czech Republic before a loss to Spain prevented them reaching the final.  India were undefeated in the mixed doubles and their sparkling form led to the decision to give them direct entry to Hopman XX.

Tournament Director, Paul McNamee said “I am delighted to invite India directly into the field.  It’s just reward for their challenge last year and for Sania’s considerable progress this year”.

Sania Mirza is a bonafide superstar in India and at only 19 years of age is on target to reach her goal of being the first Indian woman in the top 20.   A hot US summer series which included wins over Tatiana Golovin, Martina Hingis, Dinara Safina, Sharar Peer, and Patty Schneider has her sitting at 27 on the world rankings and after reaching the quarterfinals in Japan last week, she may reach her goal this year.

Rohan Bopanna has had a successful year on the Challenger circuit winning a singles tournament in Dublin and 5 Doubles titles to give him an ATP doubles ranking of 86 but it was his brilliant form in the mixed doubles at last year's Hopman that helped secure the invitation for India.

Other Hyundai Hopman Cup XX teams previously announced: (ranking in parenthesis)

Serbia - Novak Djokovic (3) and Jelena Jankovic (3)
Czech Republic – Tomas Berdych (10) and Lucie Safarova (22)
France – Gael Monfils (41) and Tatiana Golovin (22)
India – Rohan Bopanna (238) and Sania Mirza (29)
Asian Hopman Cup Winner
The Hyundai Hopman Cup will be played at the Burswood Dome from 29 December 2007 – 4 January 2008.
http://www.hopmancup.com.au/default.aspx?id=103&NewsId=157