Leander Paes kept himself on course for a semi-final showdown with compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi after advancing to the second round of the men's doubles with Czech Republic partner David Rikl at the Wimbledon tennis championships on Friday.

Paes and Rikl, the 11th seeds, overcame a stiff challenge from Italians Daniele Bracciali and Georgio Galimberti to win the first round match 7-5, 6-7(3/7), 6-3.

Earlier, third seeds Bhupathi and Max Mirnyi of Belarus advanced with a smooth 6-3, 6-4 win over Hicham Arazi of Morocco and Joshua Eagle of Australia on Thursday.

The Indians, who won the title themselves in 1999, are drawn in the bottom half of the draw and poised for a semi-final meeting.

Last year Bhupathi and Mirnyi reached the final, where they lost to the record-breaking pair Jonas Bjorkman of Sweden and Todd Woodbridge of Australia.