Bhupathi-Murray out, Paes-Damm sails into QF

Cincinati, Aug 17: It was a day of mixed fortunes for India as Mahesh Bhupathi and his British partner Jamie Murray made a tame exit in the second round of the Western&Southern Financial Group Masters here, while his estranged partner Leander Paes and Matin Damm of Czech Republic eased into the quarter-finals of the 2,450,000 dollar event.

The newly formed Indo-British pair were outclassed in straight sets 3-6, 2-6 by the top seed American brothers duo of Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan.

Bhupathi clinched his first title of the season and the 40th of his career earlier this week at the Rogers Masters in Montreal, parnering Pavel Vizner of Czech Republic.

But his constant change of partners in the ATP circuirt after breaking up with Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic, might act as a hindrance to his desire of bagging 50 career doubles titles before making decisions about his future.

Meanwhile, the Indo-Czech duo of Paes and Martin, who earlier got a bye in the first round, outplayed French combination of Julien Benneteau and Arnaud Clement 6-4, 7-5 to move into the last eight of the hardcourt event here.

The fouth-seeded duo will now face Paul Hanley of Australia and Kevin Ullyett of Zimbabwe, who are just seeded one place behind the Indo-Czech pair in this tournament.

UNI