Erlich scores upset doubles win

ADAM KAMIEN AT MELBOURNE PARK

ISRAELI doubles player Yoni Erlich and French playing partner Arnaud Clement are through to the second round of the Australian Open after downing 10th seeds Austrian Julian Knowle and Swede Robert Lindstedt 6-7(7-3), 6-4, 6-4.

The un-seeded pair will now face either Feliciano Lopez and Rainer Scheuttler or Frederico Gil and Kristof Vliegen in the second round.

The relatively new pairing of Erlich and Clement failed to find its rhythm early in their match on January 20, but settled to pull off the upset win in relative comfort.

A break in each set was enough to see the duo through to the second round, with a possible showdown against Israeli and former partner Andy Ram, or compatriot Dudi Sela looming.

Erlich won the 2008 Australian Open with Andy Ram, but after a long layoff with injury and poor performances has slipped to 190 in the world.