Tennis: Players separated at Australian Open

Mahesh Bhupathi of India (L) talks tactics with partner Leander Paes also of India. Photo / Getty Images

Players had to be separated in the ugly aftermath to a men's doubles match at the Australian Open today.

Argentine Juan Monaco and his Spanish partner Feliciano Lopez took exception to the on-court behaviour of Leander Paes during their 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 second-round loss to he and fellow Indian Mahesh Bhupathi.

Paes, a multiple grand slam doubles champion, doesn't enjoy the best of reputations in the men's locker room and Lopez accused him of bullying he and Monaco on Showcourt Two.

"We were playing, match was quiet and one of the players (Paes), he was trying to provoke us all the time," Lopez said.

"I know it's the style he been using the past 20 years. But that's OK. Nothing else.

"At one point, we were a little bit tired of the style he was using on the court and that's all what happened.

"We don't want to make a big story about something that happened."

There were suggestions that Peas body-checked Monaco at a changeover between games and the two engaged in a heated exchange at the net after the match.

French umpire Pascual Maria and another tournament official had to intervene, separating the two before the situation escalated.

- AAP