Sharan, Bopanna advance

Divij Sharan equalled his best Grand Slam performance by reaching the men's doubles third round at the Australian Open while Rohan Bopanna also entered the pre-quarterfinals in doubles here on Friday.

Sharan and American Rajeev Ram faced stiff resistance from Fabio Fognini and Marcel Granollers before winning 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 in a second-round game that lasted for two hours and eight minutes.

The left-handed Sharan's serve came under pressure in the tight second set but he was excellent at the net, producing some quality volleys.

The Indo-French team of Bopanna and Edouard Roger-Vasselin knocked out Portugal's Joao Sousa and Leonardo Mayer of Argentina 6-2, 7-6 (3).

They are now up against seventh seeds Mate Pavic of Croatia and Austria's Oliver Marach who edged out Artem Sitak and Wesley Koolhof 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4.