Chennai: India’s Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna got the better of Andres Beck and Stanislas Wawrinka 6-4, 7-6 (3) to book a semi-final berth in the 2012 Aircel Chennai Open Tennis Tournament here on Thursday.

Bhupathi and Bopanna, ranked number 7 and 11 respectively, announced in December that they would be partnering in the new season with their focus primarily on the Olympic Games in London in July.

"We are getting better with every match," Bhupathi said after their second match of the new season. "We are looking for these kinds of matches going into the Australian Open," he said, referring to closeness of the contest.

The Indian pair will meet the Israeli duo of Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram in the semifinals.

Bopanna was all praise for the spectator support the pair was receiving in Chennai. "Fantastic support," the Coorgi said. "It's great to be playing at home, and with the crowds cheering for you."