Monday, July 11 2005 15:11 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Ace doubles player Mahesh Bhupathi today (July 11, 2005) said he may consider pairing up with Sania Mirza in mixed doubles at Grand Slams after the Hyderabad tennis sensation breaks into the top 50 in singles world rankings.

"Sania is improving every month. So, she will get a ranking up to a level...We can compete at the highest level (in mixed doubles)," Bhupathi told reporters in Bangalore. Bhupathi along with Mary Pierce of France won the Wimbledon mixed doubles earlier this month while Sania, currently ranked 70 in the world, lost to the US Open Champion and world number six Svetlana Kuznetsova after a spirited fight in the singles second round.

But both Bhupathi and Sania stressed that at this stage of her career, she needed to focus on singles.

"It (mixed doubles) is not a priority for Sania (now). Right now, it (mixed doubles) comes only four times a year. She says she wants to break into the top 50. If and when that happens, it will (Bhupathi pairing up with Sania)...The whole country will be excited about it. Right now, she needs to focus on singles," he said.

"It will be an honour (to pair with Bhupathi in mixed doubles)," added Sania. "I am playing singles and doubles, mixed doubles happen four times a year. We will see, when it happens, it happens".

Sania said she would take part in a few tournaments in the run up to the US Open. She is also looking for a touring coach and she will be pursuing it in the US.

Earlier, Bhupathi and Sania played 'tennis on the street' as a promotional build-up to the $170,000 Sunfeast Open to be held in Kolkata from September 19 to 25.

Sania reiterated that she wanted to break into the top 50 in singles in the world by this year-end. "I am aiming for it. Whether it happens or not, we have to wait and watch. Let's hope so".

She said the Kolkata event would be tough as it's a Tier III event on the Women's Tennis Association calendar, a notch above the Hyderabad Open, which she won.

Sania said she ensured that media hype and public expectations did not come in the way of her performing well when she was on the court.

"There's nothing much I can do about it, not in my control. I just give my best; I do what I have to do and not what the rest of the world says," the 18-year-old added.

Bhupathi said winning Wimbledon was special and it had "turned around" his professional career for the year and he was looking forward to the summer and hard-court season ahead.

The doubles specialist said efforts were on to rope in a couple of big names to participate in the Kolkata WTA event.

Asked if it's a closed chapter vis-a-vis pairing up in doubles with Leander Paes, Bhupathi said it's definitely not over and said they would be pairing up for the Davis Cup tie in September as also in the Asian Games next year.