Bhupati-Knowles lose in Australian Open

Melbourne, Jan 24 (UNI) It was a disappointing day for Indian tennis fans as Mahesh Bhupathi and his partner Mark Knowles lost 6-4, 6-4 to the Israeli pair of Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram in the doubles semi-finals at the Australian Open here today.

The sixth seeded Indo-Bahamas duo, who had beaten top seeds and world number one American pair of Mike and Bob Bryan, failed to capitalise on their chances as they frittered away a total of six break points and were broken once in each set.

Erlich and Ram will face-off with the French pair of Arnaud Clement and Michael Llodra in the final.

But there was some cheer for India in the junior singles event, however, as Yuki Bhambri of Delhi downed third seed Daniel Evans of Britain 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-3 to enter the semi-finals.

Bhambri will take on local challenger Bernard Tomic in the last four stage.

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