Sania to partner Nryanne

Injuries notwithstanding, Sania Mirza has opted to play in the women’s doubles, partnering Australia’s Bryanne Stewart, at the US Open here. The Indo-Australian pair would take on 11th seeds Emili Eloit of France and Australian Nicole Pratt in the first round of the 64-size draw. Sania has a strained abdominal muscle and is also troubled by bleeding toes. Cara Black and Renae Stubbs are the top seeds in the women’s doubles. Sania and Stewart are placed in the bottom half of the draw which also features second seeds Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova and Aussie Alicia Molik. (PTI)