The University of Mississippi Athletics
Former NCAA Doubles Champion Reaches Semifinals At Olympics
8/18/2004 | Men's Tennis
Aug. 18, 2004
ATHENS, Greece - Former NCAA Doubles Champion Mahesh Bhupathi is one match away from a chance to play for a Gold Medal at the Olympics, as he and partner Leander Paes advanced to the semifinals with a straight set quarterfinal win Wednesday, at the Olympic Tennis Center. Bhupathi and Paes defeated Wayne Black and Kevin Uyllett of Zimbabwe, 6-4, 6-4 in the quarterfinals. The Indian duo is the highest remaining seed (No. 5) in the Olympics, after the top-seeded Bryan (Bob and Mike) twins from the United States were upset Wednesday. Bhupathi and Paes will face Nicolas Kiefer and Rainer Schuettler of Germany Thursday in the semifinals. This marks the second time Bhupathi and Paes have reached the semifinals at the Olympics, also advancing that far at the 2000 games in Sydney. The other semifinal will feature Mario Ancic and Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia against Fernando Gonzalez and Nicolas Massu of Chile. Bhupathi and Paes are seeking their second title in a month, after resuming playing together three weeks ago to prepare for the Olympics. They won the Tennis Masters in Toronto to claim their 23rd title, including the 1999 and 2001 French Open Championships and the 1999 Wimbledon. While at Ole Miss, Bhupathi earned All-America and SEC Player of the Year honors as well as claiming the 1995 NCAA Doubles title for the Rebels.
