India’s six-time Grand Slam tennis champion Sania Mirza reckoned doubles specialist Rohan Bopanna, 43, is a strong contender for the French Open men’s doubles title. The second Grand Slam of the year starts in Paris on Sunday. Sania, who finished her career with this year’s Australian Open mixed doubles final, partnering Bopanna, called him a very hard working player.

“We are happy that we still have one person [Indian] playing at that level and is a contender. His chances are as good as anybody else on the board. He is playing well; he is always going deep in bigger tournaments. I don’t see a reason why he is not as much a contender,” Sania said during a virtual media interaction organised by Sony Sports on Saturday. Bopanna will be playing his 16th French Open this year and will partner Australian Matthew Ebden.