Leander Paes [ Images ] got the better of his Davis Cup partner Mahesh Bhupathi [ Images ], clinching a thrilling semi-final victory in the men's doubles at the US $550,000 Thailand Open in Bangkok on Saturday.

Paes combined with Paul Hanley [ Images ] of Australia [ Images ] to defeat Bhupathi and Justin Gimelstob of the United States 6-4, 6-5(6) and enter the final.

They will meet Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram [ Images ] of Israel who beat Simon Aspelin of Sweden and Todd Perry of Australia 6-5(5), 6-2 in the other semi-final.

It was the second time the former world number one pair met across the net this year, the earlier instance being at Sydney [ Images ] before the Australian Open [ Images ] in January. On that occasion Paes suffered an ankle injury during the second round match.

The two also faced off thrice last year, with Bhupathi gaining a 2-1 record.

Bhupathi in partnership with Fabrice Santoro [ Images ] of France [ Images ] defeated Paes and Swede Jonas Bjorkman [ Images ] in the final at Dubai [ Images ] in March, 2004.

Paes then combined with David Rikl of the Czech Republic to knock out Bhupathi and Max Mirnyi [ Images ] of Belarus at the Hamburg Masters before the latter got their revenge in Madrid.

Paes has won two titles so far this year for a tally of 33 while Bhupathi triumphed at Sydney with Todd Woodbridge besides winning the mixed doubles crowns at Wimbledon [ Images ] and the US Open [ Images ] Grand Slams for a total of 37 titles.