Paes, Bhupathi crash out of Rome Masters

Indian challenge in the Rome Masters came to a crashing end with both Paes and Bhupathi going down in their individual double encounters.

Indian challenge in the Rome Masters came to a crashing end with Leander Paes and his Czech partner Radek Stepanek going down to top seeds Bob and Mike Bryan while Bhupathi and his South African team mate Wesley Moody were beaten in straight sets by Fernando Gonzalez and Nicolas Massu in the pre-quarterfinals.

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Though the American Bryan twins were playing there first match in more than four weeks, they were quick to seize the initiative and dropped just one game before clinching the first set.

Paes and Stepanek raised their game in the second set and went neck-and-neck till the 10th game. On the 'sudden death' point at 5-5, Stepanek’s smash from a high, defensive lob crashed into the net to give the Bryans the crucial break and Mike then served out the match to love in the following game. The Bryans, Stanford ATP Doubles Race leaders, meets Chile’s Olympic gold medal team Fernando Gonzalez and Nicolas Massu, who beat eighth seeds Bhupathi and Moodie 6-3, 6-2.

The Chilean duo never allowed the eighth seeded Indo-African pair any rhythm and perfect co-ordination and aggressive net play clinched the issue in their favour, according to information received.