Italians name tennis team for Beijing

(BEIJING, June 24) -- The Italian national tennis team for Beijing 2008 has been named with nine players in total being - the biggest tennis squad Italy has sent to an Olympics.

The Italian Olympic Committee is sending six women and three men to Beijing 2008. They will contest four events: the men's singles and doubles, and the women's singles and doubles. Italy sent six players to the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and five to Athens in 2004.

Women's Tennis Association (WTA) ranked No 20, Francesca Schiavone and No 23, Flavia Pennetta, are among the six women chosen for Beijing. World No. 30, Andreas Seppi, is the pick of the men.

In total, 320 Italian athletes have qualified for the Beijing Olympics so far (June 23, 2008.) According to the Italian media, the medal target for the Italian team at Beijing is more than 30 medals