Bhupathi crashes out of Sydney International with defeat in QF

Sydney, Jan 10 (UNI) Mahesh Bhupathi and his French partner Fabrice Santoro crashed out with a straight set defeat at the hands of third seeded pair of Paul Hanley and Kevin Ullyett in the quarterfinals of the 436,000 dollar Sydney International here today.

The Hanley-Ullyett duo quelled a late challenge from Bhupathi and Santoro to oust them 6-1, 7-6(6).

Bhupathi's estranged partner Leander Paes partners Martin Damm to meet Ashley Fisher (Australia) and American Tripp Phillip in another quarterfinal match later today.

Against the Hanley-Ullyett pair, Bhupathi and Santoro began on a disastrous note and could win just one game in the lop-sided first set.

Sensing danger, Bhupathi and Santoro raised their game in the next set and managed to stretch it to tie-breaker. Hanley and Ullyett held their nerves and showed better coordination to win it to seal the match in one hour and 23 minutes.

Meanwhile, Mark Knowles and Daniel Nestor, chasing their 38th team title, stormed into the semifinal today with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Americans Paul Goldstein and Jim Thomas.

Polish duo Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski also reached the semifinals after a tough 6-7(5), 6-2, 11-9 win over Frenchmen Michael Llodra and Arnaud Clement.

UNI