Leander Paes Gets One Step Closer to Olympic Qualification With Busan Open Win

Leander Paes, partnering with Australian Sam Groth, clinched the Busan Open ATP Challenger by defeating Thai pair Sanchai and Sonchat Ratiwatana 4-6, 6-1, 10-7 on Sunday.

More than the title, the win helped Paes climb up three places to being world No. 54 in the ATP charts. According to the qualifying criteria of 2016 Rio Olympics, a player needs to be within the top 56 to be eligible to play, though the National Olympic Committees have the option of fielding a lower ranked player.

Rohan Bopanna is India's highest ranked doubles player at No. 13. He needs to be within top 10 by June 11, the cut-off date, to get direct qualification. According to the rules, he may then partner with any player of his choice with a ATP doubles ranking, however low that may be. Going by Paes's vast experience, he might then be Bopanna's preferred choice.

If Bopanna is not able to get into top-10, then India's best chance to get a direct entry will by by combining players with a combined ranking of 60.

India's entry in men's doubles will also be important because without it the country won;t be able to send a entry in mixed doubles.