The Indian challenge in the men's doubles at the French Open tennis championships came to an end on Thursday, when Leander Paes and partner David Rikl were beaten in the semi-finals.

The fifth seeded Indo-Czech Republic pair was beaten by the third seeds Bob and Mike Bryan of the United States 4-6, 3-6 on the Suzanne Lenglen court.

The Bryans needed just a break in each set to emerge triumphant.

Paes and Rikl, who had beaten second seeds Mahesh Bhupathi and Max Mirnyi in the quarter-finals, had a chance to effect the first break of the match in the seventh game of the first set but the Bryans saved five break-points to hold serve.

Games continued with serve till Paes and Rikl were broken in the tenth game. That gave the United States pair the set at 6-4.

In the second set too the story was similar. The Bryans broke in the sixth game and held thereafter to take the set and match at 6-3.

The Bryans face the defending doubles champions and 11th seeds Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Paul Haarhuis, who outclassed Australia's No10 seeds Paul Hanley and Wayne Arthurs 6-4, 6-4 in the other semi-final.

Share your comments

What do you think about the story? Read what others have to say: Number of User Comments: 4 Sub: Paes & Bhupati I guess both are ace players Paes and Bhupati are more interested in the money then the sports itself as such they cant play togather. Posted by Jeffry Sub: paes and bupathi should join hi, i think paes and bupathi didn't even one title after they separated.they should try to reunion and win lot of title. if they do ... Posted by gopalakrishna Sub: Paes-Rikl lose in semis I think now Paes should announce his retirement. He has pulled long and now is a spend force. Posted by Pankaj Katdare Sub: Paes needs to introspect Paes for long has been one of the best athletes in the country, and his athleticism extends beyond the tennis court. But it is his ... Posted by jaydeep roy