Paes-Kirilenko falter in French Open quarterfinals

PARIS: Indian challenge ended at the French Open Grand Slam tennis with Leander Paes and his Russian partner Maria Kirilenko faltering at the quarterfinal hurdle of the mixed doubles event here on Wednesday.

The Indo-Russian pair were handed over a straight sets 3-6 3-6 defeat by sixth seeds Martina Navratilova and Bob Bryan of USA at the Chatrier court.

Earlier, Mahesh Bhupathi, who teamed up with Swiss miss Martina Hingis, and Sania Mirza, who combined with Paul Hanley of Australia have already bowed out of contention.

Paes and Martin Damm of Czech Republic had made first round in the men's doubles event.