Maria Sharapova poses in front of the new Land Rover Freelander 2 as she arrives for a pre-Wimbledon party in London. (AP)

London: Sania Mirza was on Friday handed a tough first-round outing after being drawn to play seventh seed Elena Dementieva of Russia in the women’s singles at Wimbledon beginning on Monday.

The 19-year old Indian, ranked 38th in the world, is in the top half of the draw and in the second quarter which also features 2004 champion Maria Sharapova.

French open champion Amelie Mauresmo of France is the top seed followed by Belgians Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin-Hardenne, Sharapova and Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia, defending champion Venus Williams, Dementieva and Switzerland’s Patty Schnyder.

Sania is paired with Holland’s Michaela Krajicek in the women’s doubles and the duo take on Stephanie Foretz of France and Italian Antonella Serra Zanetti in the first round.

In the men’s doubles, Leander Paes and Czech Republic's Martin Damm have been seventh seeded. The pair clash with Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia and Russian Mikhail Youzhny in the opening round. Mahesh Bhupathi has partnered with Alexander Waske of Germany to be 13th seeded and will take on Frederic Neimeyer of Canada and American Glenn Weiner in their opening match.

(PTI)