Bhupathi-Zimonjic sails into QF of Pilot pen

New Haven, Aug 21: Mahesh Bhupathi and his Serbian partner Nenad Zimonjic defeated Spainiard duo of Nicolas Almagro and Fernando Verdasco to ease into the quater-finals of the 675,250 dollar Pilot Pen tennis tournament here.

The number one seed Indo-Serbian duo defeated the Spanish pair of Almagro and Verdasco in straight sets 7-5, 6-3.

Both the players were evenly matched, but the difference between the two perhaps was the way Indo-Serb pair saved their second serve points against the Spanish combo. The duo also saved 80 per cent of their break points.

Bhupathi and Zimonjic will meet unseeded Spaniard duo of David Ferrer and Albert Montanes in their quarter-final match of the event.

Bhupathi's constant change of partners in the ATP circuit after breaking up with Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic and then Englishmen Jamie Murray might act as a hindrance in his desire of bagging 50 career doubles titles before making a decision about his future.

UNI