India [ Images ] will have a shot at an Olympic medal in the women's doubles tennis competition as well with Sania Mirza [ Images ] and Sunitha Rao getting a wild card entry to compete at the quadrennial extravaganza, beginning on August 8.

While Sania is India's number one player, US-based Sunitha is second highest ranked Indian in the WTA charts and has represented the country in the Fed Cup.

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A senior official at the All India Tennis Association said they have received the official confirmation from the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

"We got a letter from the ITF yesterday [Wednesday] saying Sania and Sunitha, who were AITA nominations, have been approved a wild card entry for the women's doubles competition," the official said.

Sania has already been given a direct entry into the singles competition.

The tennis event will be played from August 10 to 17 at the new Olympic tennis centre in Beijing [ Images ].

Players from 21 nations will participate in the women's doubles competition.

Leander Paes [ Images ] and Mahesh Bhupathi [ Images ] will lead the Indian charge in the men's doubles after they set aside their personal differences and agreed to team up for the Olympics [ Images ].