NEW DELHI, July 24: India's Mahesh Bhupathi, partnering Rick Leach of the US, reached the doubles semi-final of the $ 303,000 Infiniti Open Hardcourt ATP Tour event in Washington on Thursday. They beat Marcos Ondruska and Garnt Stafford of South Africa in straight sets.

In the pre-quarter-finals they got past Goran Ivanisevic and Sander Groen 6-7 (3-7), 7-5, 2-1 as the big serving Croat withdrew after complaining of an stomach ailment.

In the singles, Bhupathi was scheduled to play former world No one Jim Courier in a second round encounter. The Indian Davis Cup star beat Canadian Daniel Nestor 7-6 (7/1), 7-6 (7/5) in the first round.

Seeded second in the qualifying draw, Bhupathi beat Kyle Spencer of the US 6-4, 6-3 and Grady Burnett also of the U.S 6-2, 6-4 in the first two rounds to make it to the main draw.

Courier beat South African Grant Stafford 7-5, 7-5 in first round.

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