Rio Olympics 2016, Tennis: Five women’s doubles teams who can win medals

#3 Elena Vesnina and Ekaterina Makarova (Russia)

Vesnina rank: 8, Makarova rank: 17

Russia might be embroiled in a murky doping scandal that has resulted in its athletics team being barred from the Olympics. But the country can certainly dream of making amends in other sports, if they are ultimately not stripped off that chance.

The Russian duo of Elena Vesnina and Ekaterina Makarova became a major force on the Tour after the 2012 London Olympics. 2013 was the first time they tasted glory in women’s doubles at the Majors when they lifted the French Open trophy. And they subsequently went on to add the 2014 US Open title.

With no Olympic medal in their kitty, there’s no doubt that the soon-to-be 30 Vesnina and the 28-year-old Makarova would be hungry get one this time. And they have been getting some valuable momentum at the right time.

In their last five tournaments, they have not lost before the quarter-finals which include a runner-up finish at the French Open and a quarter-final appearance at Wimbledon. It is suffice to say that this right hand-left hand combination will settle for nothing less than a medal.