Melbourne: Indian-Czech duo of Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek reached quarterfinals after beating third seeds Frenchman Michael Llodra and Serb Nenad Zimonjic 7-5, 7-6(7-2), while the all-Indian pair of Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna lost their pre-quarterfinal match against Americans Scott Lipsky and Rajeev Ram in the Australian Open men's doubles here on Sunday.
Paes and Stepanek was at their best against the third seed Llorda and Nenad and after taking the first set at 7-5, the Indian-Czech duo stretched the French pair into tie-breaker in the second set and took it at 7-6 (7-2). With this win, Paes and Stepanek has not dropped a single set so far in the competition.
Meanwhile, fourth seeded Bhupathi and Bopanna lost to the Americans in straight sets 6-7 (8), 2-6). Three double faults and 11 unforced errors proved too costly for the Indians
