New Delhi, May 26: Mahesh Bhupathi and Max Mirnyi have been seeded third while Leander Paes and David Rikl are the tenth seeds in men's doubles at the French Open grand slam tennis in Paris.
Bhupathi and Mirnyi take on home challenge Sebastien De Chaunac and Stephane Robert while Paes and Rikl face Spaniards Juan Ignacio Carrasco and Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo in the first round matches today. The complete draw is still awaited.
Bhupathi-Mirnyi and Paes-Rikl clashed in the quarterfinals in Paris last year, with latter emerging victorious before losing in the semifinals.
Bhupathi, who sustained groin and calf muscle injuries in his last match at the Hamburg Masters, said his leg felt "better".
"The leg feels better. It is a little weak but should get better as the week goes on," the seven-time grand slam champion told reporters yesterday.



Asked if the week's practice he missed ahead of the grand slam would affect his chances, Bhupathi said "well, hopefully not too much. I have put in a few good sessions since I got here and if we have a decent first round it will help the cause."



Bhupathi, who won at Roland Garros twice partnering Paes in 1999 and 2001, will play with Elena Likhovtseva in mixed doubles.


Bureau Report