Bhupathi confirms participation in AAG

New Delhi:

Mahesh Bhupathi today confirmed his participation in the first ever Afro-Asian Games to be held in Hyderabad from October 24 to November 1. "Yes, I will be there," Bhupathi said from Madrid, where he is playing the $2.45 million ATP Masters tennis event. Bhupathi and partner Max Mirnyi of Belarus entered the doubles quarterfinals defeating Alex Corretja and Feliciano Lopez 6-7 (2/7), 6-4, 7-6 (7/4). Bhupathi's statement should put to rest the confusion over his playing in the intercontinental event. The doubles specialist's name was not included in the Indian team announced by the All India Tennis Association last week. Suresh Kalmadi, president of the Indian Olympic Association, however seems to have convinced Bhupathi of the importance of his presence in a depleted field. Kalmadi also claimed earlier in the day that Prakash Amritraj too would be playing at the Games. This however seems unlikely, since the player had hurt his thigh muscle while playing at the ATP Challenger event in Belgaum this week. (PTI)