Paes-Bhupathi pair storms into finals of men's doubles

Doha, Dec 12 (UNI) Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi steamrolled fifth seeds Cecil Mamiit and Frederick Taino of the Philippines in straight sets in the semi-finals to move a step closer to retain the Gold in the men's doubles event of the Asian Games here today.

After watching compatriot Sania Mirza making a mince meat of top seed Na Li in the women's semi final, the former world number one pair crushed the Philippine pair's challenge in a ruthless manner beating them 6-2, 6-4 on their way to the final.

The Indians clicked superbly well and carried far too much fire power for their fifth seed rivals and closed the semi-final contest in 64 minutes.

Mamitt and Taino were never in picture against their famed rivals and they had no choice but to hold back and watch the Indians play in tandem and must have learnt a few lessons in the game.

Paes -- upfront near the net -- and Bhupathi -- on the base line -- provided a perfect winning combination. Paes won't let any lob or shot pass him but even if couple of them got past him Bhupathi took care of them.

The Indians did not exert themselves much and played a percentage game. Their plan was not to indulge in long rallies so as to preserve energy for the final and they succeeded in their gameplan.

The Indian Express got off to a flying start as they broke their rivals twice to take the set 6-2 and establish a 1-0 lead in 28 minutes.

The Filipino duo put up stronger resistance in the second set, which lasted eight minutes more than the first, and managed to break the Indians once. This set went with the serve till the fourth game but then the Indians moved in to break their rivals' fifth game.

They consolidated their hold on the set breaking the Filipino pair in the seventh.

A slight loss of concentration, however, saw the Indians dropping their eighth game but Paes and Bhupathi managed to wrap up the match by winning the set 6-4 in 36 minutes.

Mamit and Taino had a hard time on the court. Though they had speed and agility the class was lacking. The Indians played them in a very relaxed manner. There was no tension and no pressure as they launched their assault and collected points.

The Filipino pair combined well but they were pitted against a duo which was several notches above them in style, tactics and substance.

''Well we are aiming for the gold. We want to retain that,'' said Paes after the match.

''We will not be taking our rivals in the finals lightly, that will be very dangerous because every body gives his best here.

Afterall the country's prestige is involved,'' he added.

''It was a good match and we combined well. They (Mamiiit and Taino) played well but we were confident,'' he further went onto add.

Bhupathi was of the view that he and Paes have started finding their rhythm, ''It is good, the match was not easy. They are fifth seed, but We played good,'' he added and hoped that, ''We will retain the Gold.'' UNI HSB PM ND1752