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Tough Wimbledon opener for Sania

June 23, 2006 20:09 IST

Sania Mirza [ Images ] was handed a tough first round outing after being drawn to play seventh seed Elena Dementieva [ Images ] of Russia [ Images ] in the women's singles at the Wimbledon [ Images ] Grand Slam beginning on Monday.

The 19-year old Indian, ranked 38th in the world, is in the top half of the draw and in the second quarter which also features 2004 champion Maria Sharapova [ Images ].

French Open [ Images ] champion Amelie Mauresmo [ Images ] of France [ Images ] is the top seed followed by Belgians Kim Clijsters [ Images ] and Justine Henin-Hardenne, Sharapova and Svetlana Kuznetsova [ Images ] of Russia, defending champion Venus Williams [ Images ], Dementieva and Switzerland's [ Images ] Patty Schnyder [ Images ] in that order for the top eight seedings.

Sania is paired with Holland's Michaela Krajicek in the women's doubles and the duo take on Stephanie Foretz of France and Italian Antonella Serra Zanetti in the first round.

In the men's doubles, Leander Paes [ Images ] and Czech Republic's Martin Damm [ Images ] have been seventh seeded.

The pair clash with Janko Tipsarevic [ Images ] of Serbia and Russian Mikhail Youzhny in the opening round.

Mahesh Bhupathi [ Images ] has partnered with Alexander Waske of Germany [ Images ] to be 13th seeded and play Frederic Neimeyer of Canada [ Images ] and American Glenn Weiner in their opening match.

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