Leander Paes and David Rikl advanced to the pre-quarterfinals for a thrilling showdown with the world's top doubles players and reigning champions Todd Woodbridge and Jonas Bjorkman in the US Open tennis championship in New York.

Paes and Rikl, seeded 13, snuffed out Yves Allegro of Switzerland and Germany's Michael Kohlmann 6-2, 7-6 (5) in the second round match on Friday for the meeting with the record breaking Swedish-Australian duo.

Woodbridge, the number two in doubles ranking, this year broke Tom Okker's record for most career titles in the Open era, and now has 81 titles including 15 Grand Slam crowns.

Bjorkman is ranked number one and has seven Grand Slam wins under his belt.

The combo has dominated the men's doubles in the last two years, and recorded their second successive Wimbledon win this summer.

Meanwhile, Mahesh Bhupathi and Lisa Raymond of the United States moved into the second round of the mixed doubles after overwhelming Petra Mandula of Hungary and Paul Hanley of Australia 6-4, 6-2 in the opening round.

The third seeds will play Australian sensation Alicia Molik and her compatriot Woodbridge in the second round.

Bhupathi is also scheduled to play his second round men's doubles with Max Mirnyi against Rainer Schuettler of Germany and Mikhail Youzhny of Russia later on Saturday.