Bhupathi through to semis, Paes out in Rogers

Montreal, Aug 11 (UNI) Mahesh Bhupathi and his Czech partner Pavel Vizner scored an upset victory over fourth seeds Leander Paes and Martin Damm in a thrilling quarter-final tie of the 2.20 million dollar Rogers Masters here.

Bhupathi-Vizner emerged victorious 7-6 (7), 2-6, 10-8 in a close game to set up a semi-final clash with top seeds Bob and Mike Bryan of United States.

Paes and Damm were playing their first match in the hardcourt tournament. They got a bye in the first round and a walkover in the second.

The tough fight began in the first set itself with both pairs holding serve, but Bhupathi and Vizner came up with winners when mattered most and took the set in tie-breaker.

Paes-Damm came back with a vangeance in the second set and broke their opponents twice to take the set with a convincing 6-2 score.

It seemed Paes and Damm would walk away with full honours, but Bhupathi and Vizner closed ranks in time and did not allow their higher seeded opponents to dictate terms on them.

The decider went to the wire and Bhupathi and Vizner emerged victorious in super tie-breaker 10-8.

The eighth seeds now have a tough task ahead in the round of four against the American Bryan brothers, who defeated the French pair of Arnaud Clement and Richard Gasquet 6-2 7-6 (3) in another quarter-final match.

UNI