Australian Open: Ram/Dechy to play for mixed doubles crown

Israeli/French duo to face winner of Friday's semifinal between Czechs Iveta Benesova and Lukas Dlouhy and Indians Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathi.

By ALLON SINAI
ram dechy 298.88 (photo credit: AP [file])
ram dechy 298.88
(photo credit: AP [file])
Andy Ram advanced to his fourth career Grand Slam mixed doubles final on Thursday after claiming a 7-6 (7), 6-4 victory with Nathalie Dechy over Spain's Anabel Medina Garrigues and Tommy Robredo in the Australian Open semifinals in Melbourne. The 28-year-old Israeli, who claimed the men's doubles title in Melbourne last year with Yoni Erlich, already has two Grand Slam mixed doubles titles to his name, winning in Wimbledon in 2006 with Russian Vera Zvonareva and at Roland Garros with Dechy two years ago. "It's amazing to be in a Grand Slam final yet again," said Ram, who lost the first mixed doubles final of his career at Wimbledon in 2003 with partner Anastasia Rodionova. "My connection with Nathalie is amazing. I hope we can go all the way and claim the title." In the final on Sunday, the Israeli/French duo will face the winner of Friday's semifinal between Czechs Iveta Benesova and Lukas Dlouhy and Indians Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathi.