Olympics: Lucky Vardhan to play tennis singles too

London, July 29 (IANS) Indian tennis player Vishnu Vardhan Sunday has got a lucky place in the men's singles draw replacing German Philipp Kohlschreiber who pulled out of the Olympics with a hamstring injury.

Kohlschreiber pulled out shortly after losing the Kitsbuhel final to Dutchman Robin Haase in Austria Saturday.

Vardhan, who is partnering Leander Paes in the men's doubles, was given a slot in the singles draw because he was placed high in the doubles draw.

The 25-year-old Indian will face Slovenia's Blaz Kavcic in the first round Sunday. Later in the day he will also tie up with 1996 Bronze medallist Leander Paes to play the men's doubles.

Vardhan was lucky to find a place in the Indian Olympic tennis squad after Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna revolted against the All India Tennis Association's (AITA) decision to pair them with Paes.