Leach and Ferreira weather the storm

Leach and Ferreira won the 2000 Australian Open title

Rick Leach and Ellis Ferreira moved into the final of the Touchtel ATP World Doubles Challenge Cup after a fiery encounter against Mark Knowles and Brian MacPhie.

Knowles and MacPhie were furious after a line call went against them in the third game of the first set. They went on to lose 6-2 6-4.

After arguing with umpire Nitin Kanamwar, Knowles - who won the 2002 Australian Open doubles with Canada's Daniel Nestor - swore at tournament referee Jerry Armstrong.

Armstrong penalised Knowles and MacPhie a point, which cost them the game, and Knowles and MacPhie never recovered their composure.

Bonus

"The match was gifted to us," said Ferreira. "Their attitude became worse in the second set and they made it difficult for themselves."

"We never expected to make it to the semi-finals after our loss in the first match against the Bryan twins, Bob and Mike," said Ferreria.

"Now we find ourselves in the final and I think it's a bonus."

Knowles complained that several line calls went against his team throughout the tournament, but he acknowledged that he stepped out of line.

"We are a competitive pair, and it does occasionally happen that you lose your cool," he said.