New Delhi: Former teammates Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi on July 2 headed for a semi-final showdown in the men's doubles event of the Wimbledon tennis championships, registering easy victories with their respective partners.

While Paes and David Rikl of Czech Republic entered the semi-finals upsetting third seeded Bryan brothers, Bob and Michael, of the United States, top seeds Bhupathi and Max Mirnyi of Belarus moved into the quarters with a straight sets victory over the Argentinean team of Gaston Eltis and Martin Rodriguez.

Paes and Rikl, the fifth seeds, conceded a set against the Bryan brothers before winning 6-2 6-7 (5/7) 6- 2 6-3, according to information received.

Bhupathi and Mirnyi had an easier time, winning 7-6 (7/4) 6-3 6-3. They will next meet take on Martin Damm and Cyril Suk of the Czech Republic for a place in the semi-finals.

Paes and Bhupathi, who once formed the number one doubles pair in the world, had played against each other at the quarterfinal stage in the French Open also where Paes and Rikl had emerged victorious against Bhupathi and Mirnyi.

PTI