Reliving their old magic, Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi earned a chance to complete their Grand Slam cabinet by reaching the men?s doubles final of the Australian Open, here today.
The third seed Indian Express, as they are known, pipped the second seed pair of Belarusian Max Mirnyi and Daniel Nestor of Canada 7-6(5) 4-6 6-3 in the semifinal at Melbourne Park here.
They will play against top seed American twins and double defending champions Mike and Bob Bryan in the summit clash.
The Bryan brothers eased past unseeded duo of Eric Butorac and Jean-Julien Rojer 6-3, 6-2 in 54 minutes in their semi-final.
Paes and Bhupathi decided to rejoin the forces after nine years to win that elusive Australian Open trophy, at the start of the season.
They came into Australian Open in a good nick as they clinched the Chennai Open at home.
Paes has won 12 Grand Slam titles and Bhupathi 11 in their respective careers but they have never won Australian Open men's doubles trophy.
Interestingly, Bhupathi has not won a men's doubles Grand Slam title since 2002 US Open with max Mirnyi.
Paes and Bhupathi last played together at a Grand Slam at Australian Open in 2002 when they reached the second round.
