February 4, 2012  Print Email | Indian duo a match away from first grand slam
To take on the unseeded French-Israeli combine of Nathalie Dechy and Andy Ram in the finals
Posted by Agencies at 11:52 AM GMT on Jan 30, 2009 | Melbourne (PTI): Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathi stand just one win away from their maiden mixed doubles Grand Slam title together after beating Czechs Iveta Benesova and Lukas Dlouhy 6-4 6-1 in the Australian Open semifinals here today.
 Sania and Bhupathi, who were runner-up at the Melbourne Park last year, trailed 1-3 in the opening set before storming back to seal the issue in 54 minutes.
In the summit clash, they will take on the unseeded French-Israeli combine of Nathalie Dechy and Andy Ram, who stunned seventh seeded Spaniards Anabel Medina Garrigues and Tommy Robredo 7-6 (9/7) 6-4.
It was hardly the kind of start Sania and Bhupathi, who have dropped just one set en route to the semis, would have wanted as Benesova and Dlouhy broke them in the opening game to race to a 1-3 lead.
However, the Indians got their act together soon after and broke back twice to take the first set in 32 minutes.
Sania and Bhupathi continued their dominance in the second set and broke their rivals thrice.
Such was their hold over the proceedings that the Indians did not face a single break point in the second set, which they wrapped up in a mere 22 minutes.
The win makes it a double delight for Bhupathi, who along with Bahamas' Mark Knowles, has also made the men's doubles finals to be played tomorrow.
Bhupathi has six mixed doubles Grand Slam titles under his belt with different partners.
His last mixed doubles Grand Slam was incidentally the Australian Open in 2006 when he had partnered Swiss Martina Hingis.
Yuki, who endured an exhausting day amid searing temperatures, will be up against German Alexandros-Ferdinandos Georgoudas in the final.
Georgoudas stunned second seed Julen Uriguen of Guatemala 6-4 6-4.
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