Leander Paes [ Images ] put it across his estranged partner Mahesh Bhupathi [ Images ] 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 [ Images ] 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 [ Images ] 7-5, 6-3 in the first round while Paes and Rikl enjoyed a bye.

Paes and Rikl now face Mark Knowles [ Images ] of Bahamas and Daniel Nestor [ Images ] of Canada [ Images ] -- 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 [ Images ] with legendary Martina Navratilova. He then went on to win the Dubai [ Images ] title in February, partnering Rikl, before claiming the Delray Beach crown, partnering Nenad Zimonjic of Serbia, last week