Australian Open: Ram, Erlich reach quarter finals

Israeli duo defeats No. 9 seeds Frantisek Cermak and Lukas Dlouhy 7-5, 6-3.

By ALLON SINAI
ram erlich 298.88 (photo credit: AP [file])
ram erlich 298.88
(photo credit: AP [file])
Andy Ram and Yoni Erlich advanced to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open on Sunday, defeating No. 9 seeds Frantisek Cermak and Lukas Dlouhy 7-5, 6-3. The Israeli duo, which is seeded eighth in the event, will be playing in the last eight of a Grand Slam event for just the third time since teaming up in 2003. Five years ago the duo reached the semifinals at Wimbledon and in 2005 they lost in the quarterfinal stage of the US Open. Next up for Ram and Erlich is the winner of Monday's third round match between Marc Gicquel and Fabrice Santoro and Australians Carsten Ball and Adam Feeney. On Sunday, the Israeli's saved eight of nine break points and broke three times during the match, wrapping up the win in one hour and 27 minutes. Shahar Pe'er and Victoria Azarenka, who are seeded 12th in the women's doubles tournament, will face No. 6 seeds Sania Mirza and Alicia Molik on the Rod Laver Arena in the third round on Monday. The Israeli/Belarusian duo defeated Emmanuelle Gagliardi and Patty Schnyder 6-3, 6-3 on Sunday, saving seven of eight break points on their way to the last 16. Ram and Erlich will also be in action on Monday, playing in their respected mixed doubles second round matches. Ram and Nathalie Dechy, who are seeded eighth in the tournament, face Janette Husarova and Mariusz Fyrstenberg, with Erlich and Chia-Jung Chuang, who are seeded sixth, playing Agnes Szavay and Leander Paes.