Paes-Bhupathi in semi-finals

Leander Paes showed the way with his brilliant play, partnering a somewhat subdued Mahesh Bhupathi to take them to the doubles semi-finals with a straight sets win over Michal Tabara and Tomas Zib of Czechoslovakia 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 in the Gold Flake ATP tour tennis championship in Madras on Friday.

The Indians started off in style, breaking Tabara in the first game and then led 4-1 getting another break over Tabara.

However, they surrendered the initiative, making a rash of errors. The Czechs fought back, getting two breaks over Paes and Bhupathi.

The first set meandered to a tie-break.

Paes then won three points on his own - a forehand down the line winner, forehand cross court and a superb interception close to the net.

Paes served for the set and Tabara failed to put across the ball after the second rally.

Bhupathi was confidence personified in the second set and the pair clicked well. The Indians led 3-2 and then broke Zib at 30-40. Though they were broken in the next, the Indians were not perturbed and kept up their tactical play to take India to a deserving doubles semi-finals.

In the first semi-finals on Saturday, top seeded Byron and Wayne Black from Zimbabwe take on Frantisek Cermak and Ota Fukarek of Czechoslovakia, while Paes and Bhupathi play Barry Cowan (Britain) and Mose Navarra (Italy).

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