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'Now, our turn!' |
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By: Ashwin Ferro |
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Date:
2008-08-13 |
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Place: Beijing |
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Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi | Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi hardly broke sweat yesterday in their Round One match against France's Gilles Simon and Gael Monfils, winning 6-3, 6-3 in just 57 minutes. Needless to say, it did their confidence a world of good.
In fact, Paes went on to say that they looked to be on track for exactly what one billion-plus Indians want from them a medal.
"It was great to see Abhinav Bindra win gold for India. Manavjit Singh Sandhu shot well too.
"The shooters have put up a good show and now it's our turn to do well for the country," Paes said.
Sania delights spectators
The 100-odd spectators gathered to watch Lee-Hesh play their Round One match at the Olympic Green Tennis Centre were in for a double treat as the first lady of Indian tennis Sania Mirza too was around to watch the proceedings.
Sania, who had to retire due to injury from her first round match against Czech Iveta Benesova on Monday, even obliged a section of fans by posing for photographs. Doubtless, they were thrilled.
Home support for Leander
Leander Paes enjoyed some home support yesterday, as wife Rhea and daughter Aiyanna turned out to root for him at the Olympic Green Tennis Centre.
Two-year-old Aiyanna may have had no clue about her father doing national duty, but she sure was quite vocal in her support for him.
Every time he was at the near end, she would call out, 'papa', even as her mother tried to keep her quiet, albeit unsuccessfully. |
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