Big challenge for out of form Sania and Somdev

Going by present form and their tough draws, it would be a huge surprise if Sania Mirza and Somdev Devvarman move beyond the first round, and it will yet again be Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi who will carry the Indian hopes at the US Open, starting in New York from Monday.

Sania has not been in good form since her return to the circuit after Wimbledon. Of the five tournaments that she has played, thrice she lost in the first round and twice she fell in the qualifiers.

Somdev too is not in his usual form this season. In the last 10 tournaments, he has managed to reach the quarter-finals only once and only thrice he reached the second round.

As his first round opponent is none other than world number four Briton Andy Murray, Somdev has has no option but to go all out against his superior rival.

It was a clash which was anticipated at the Commonwealth Games last year, but that did not happen as Murray had decided to skip the quadrennial event.

The 63rd ranked Sania is up against Israeli Shahar Peer, who is world number 24, but the Indian holds a 4-1 advantage in the head-to-head count.

Sania will really have to work hard and shrug poor form if she has to move to the second round.