Indian Tennis on the Rise: Tracking Leander Peas, Mahesh Bhupathi, Sania Mirza

The Indian Express in men's doubles needs no introduction. Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi of India have done so well on the men's circuit that the expectations from their countrymen have reached the sky, especially during Davis Cup and the Olympics.

Due to personal reasons, they split their pairing, but have made a comeback several times in the last few years.

Last year, they split once again,saying that they needed a younger partner to help them win more tournaments. This year, they have partnered with others to keep themselves in the hunt for the Grand Slam, especially the Australian Open that has eluded them both. 

In an Olympic year, let's take a closer look at the Indian stars

Leander Paes: Tasted Success in Olympic Singles Competition

Ranked No.1 in doubles as far back as 1999, Leander Paes is a veteran on the ATP circuit.

Playing singles, he won the bronze medal in the 1996 Olympics, the same year Andre Agassi won the gold.

Focusing on doubles in his later years, Paes has won six Grand Slam titles as well as six in mixed doubles.

Partnering with Radek Stepanek this year, Paes is still alive in the Australian Open. In mixed doubles, Paes and Elena Vesnina remain in contention as well.

Mahesh Bhupathi: New Daddy with a New Partner

Mahesh Bhupathi, the other half of the Indian Express, is another legend on the doubles circuit with credentials that mirror those of Leander Paes.

Four Grand Slam titles in doubles as well as seven mixed doubles titles adorn his crown.

He achieved the No.1 ranking along with Peas in 1999. Partnering Rohan Bopanna, Bhupathi is looking to put in steady performances before the Olympics this year.  

Rohan Bopanna: The New Entrant

Rohan Bopanna was one half of the Indo-Pak Express along with Aisam Qureshi of Pakistan. After having performed so well in 2011, the pair split during the Olympic year.

Bopanna is playing mixed doubles with Lisa Raymond in Australia, and they are still alive after playing creditably.

Will he go all the way this time?

Sania Mirza: The Glamor Queen of Indian Tennis

After focusing on the singles circuit, the Glamour Queen of Indian tennis has turned her attention to  doubles. Reaching her highest ranking at No. 10 in doubles last year, Sania Mirza has made remarkable strides in recent years.

At the Australian Open, she is playing in the the semifinals in doubles as well as the quarterfinals in mixed doubles with Mahesh Bhupathi.