'Indian Express' stands in way of Bryan brothers

THE Bryan brothers will meet the so-called Indian Express in a Grand Slam final for the first time at the Australian Open.

Defending champions Bob and Mike Bryan are the most successful doubles partnership on the men's tour, and the Indian pair of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi - reunited for the first time in nine years in a Grand Slam tournament - are among the top combinations from an earlier time.

The No 1-seeded Bryans, 32, defeated American Eric Butorac and Jean-Julien Rojer of the Netherlands Antilles, 6-3, 6-2 in their semi-final yesterday. Bhupathi and Paes beat No 2-seeded Max Mirnyi of Belarus and Canada's Daniel Nestor 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-3.

The Bryans have made six of the past seven finals at Melbourne Park, and are chasing their fifth title. Paes and Bhupathi have won doubles trophies in every other Grand Slam, together or with different partners. "Chemistry-wise we are two of the best teams on the tour, and it is the perfect final at the Australian Open," Bhupathi said of tomorrow's match.

The volatile Indian pair, seeded third, were involved in a contentious second-round match when Spain's Feliciano Lopez and Argentina's Juan Monaco complained they'd been goaded by comments from Paes. Officials stepped in to cool things down when the four confronted each other on court after the match.

Meanwhile, Britain's George Morgan moved into the semi-finals of the boys' singles at the Australian Open after a three-set win over Jeson Patrombon.

The 17-year-old from Bolton, who squeezed past Mate Delic 10-8 in the third 24 hours earlier, was pushed once more by Patrombon of the Philippines before coming through 5-7 6-2 6-3.