Career slam awaits Paes-Bhupathi

Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi, who have won 3 of the four major titles, will hope to complete a dream reunion with a career Grand Slam in Melbourne.

Reunited Indian stars Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes came through a tight Australian Open semi this Thursday to set up a final with hat trick-chasing American twins Bob and Mike Bryan.

The Indians, seeded third and making their Grand Slam comeback after splitting in 2002, beat Belarusian Max Mirnyi and Canadian Daniel Nestor 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 6-3 to reach their second Australian Open final.

Bhupathi and Paes’s previous final appearance was way back in 1999, when they lost to Swede Jonas Bjorkman and Australian Pat Rafter. The last of their three major titles came at the 2001 French Open.

“We felt the only trophy missing from our collection was the Australian Open,” Bhupathi said.

“We both felt we had a shot at winning it if we play together. We’ve tried and come very close in the past and a lot of people thought we were crazy but now we are two sets away from winning.”

Paes said the tempestuous pair had to talked about reuniting in the past but the timing had never suited.

“I’ve asked Mahesh a few times before but he was doing well with his partner and he’s asked me a few times before but I was doing well with my partner,” he said.

“So there are times we’ve tried to come together before but the timing’s not been right. It’s pretty amazing that first Slam back, we’re in with a chance of winning it.”

Meanwhile the Bryans beat the unseeded duo of American Eric Butorac and Jean-Julien Rojer from the Netherlands Antilles 6-3, 6-2.

The American pair have won nine Grand Slam titles together, including four of the last five Australian Opens, and are aiming for a third straight win in Melbourne in Saturday’s final.

The Indian pair were earlier involved in a heated clash with Juan Monaco and Feliciano Lopez which brought their match to a halt as they argued at the net, and needed to be broken up by officials.

“We’re really happy to be playing the Bryans in the final,” Paes said. “We both enjoy playing the Bryans so we’re looking forward to that. We enjoy their fast pace and their style of play.

“They have a particular style of play and we have a particular style of play so it makes for a great final.”

Argentine-Italian duo Gisela Dulko and Flavia Pennetta will contest the women’s doubles final against Belarusian Victoria Azarenka and Russia’s Maria Kirilenko on Friday.