Buoyed by Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna's clinical performance in the Asia/Oceania Group I Davis Cup match against South Korea, All India Tennis Association chief Anil Khanna says the two Indian men stand a chance of winning a medal at the Rio Olympics, though mixed doubles remains the country's best bet.
Paes and Bopanna kept their off-court differences aside to outclass the Korean pair of Seong Chan Hong and Hong Chung in straight sets in the doubles rubber at the grass courts of Chandigarh Club last weekend.
"It came at the right time. Both Leander and Rohan played really well and it bodes well for them ahead of Olympics," Khanna said.
Asked about the medal prospects in tennis, the veteran administrator said it will not be a surprise if India finishes on the podium.
"My view is that we have a chance in mixed doubles and men's doubles, though the world's best will be competing at the Olympics - be it Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak (Djokovic), Andy Murray and all," he said.
Last Saturday, Paes and Bopanna dished out a dominating performance to trounce the Hong and Chung 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in an hour and 41 minutes and guide India into the World Group play-offs.
The reluctant partners for the Rio Olympics did not face any competition from the Koreans in what could be their only competitive match together before the Games.
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