Leander Paes put it across his estranged partner Mahesh Bhupathi in the third round doubles match in the $2.4 million ATP Tennis Masters Series at Indian Wells, California, on Wednesday.

Paes and his Czech Republic partner David Rikl defeated Bhupathi and Britain's Tim Henman 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 to enter the quarter-finals.

Bhupathi and Henman had on Monday defeated David Adams and Robbie Koenig of South Africa 7-5, 6-3 in the first round while Paes and Rikl enjoyed a bye.

Paes and Rikl now face Mark Knowles of Bahamas and Daniel Nestor of Canada -- who were named 'team of the month' in February.

The year 2003 has been a contrasting season for the two Indian stars, who now have 26 career titles each under their belts.

Paes, after a despairing 2002 when he struggled to find a suitable partner following his split with Bhupathi, had a colourful start to the new year, winning the mixed doubles crown at the Australian Open with legendary Martina Navratilova. He then went on to win the Dubai title in February, partnering Rikl, before claiming the Delray Beach crown, partnering Nenad Zimonjic of Serbia, last week