Leander Paes [ Images ] of India [ Images ] and David Rikl of the Czech Republic took another big step towards the men's doubles title advancing to the semi-finals of the US Open [ Images ] Tennis Championships in New York.

The 13th seeded duo beat Feliciano Lopez [ Images ] and Fernando Verdasco [ Images ] of Spain in straight sets 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 to enter the last four.

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Paes and Rikl will now take on another Spanish pair of Rafael Nadal [ Images ] and Tommy Robredo [ Images ] for a place in the final.

In the quarter-finals, Nadal and Robredo beat Robbie Koenig of South Africa [ Images ] and Travis Parrott of the United States 7-5, 7-5.

The other semi-final will see third seeds Mark Knowles [ Images ] of Bahamas and Daniel Nestor [ Images ] of Canada [ Images ] taking on the French pair of Julien Benneteau [ Images ] and Nicolas Mahut.

Paes is also in line for a double triumph having advanced to the mixed doubles semis along with American legend Martina Navratilova.

The duo will take on the Australian pair of Alicia Molik [ Images ] and Todd Woodbridge for a place in the title round.

In the other semi-final, top seeds Daniel Nestor of Canada and Rennae Stubbs [ Images ] of Australia [ Images ] will take on fourth seeds Bob Bryan of the United States and Vera Zvonareva [ Images ] of Russia [ Images ].