Sunday 27 January 2013

Bryan Brothers grab Aus Open number 6

The Mens Doubles final had as one of its teams the American Bryan brothers, Mike and Bob, which these days and for many days now, tends to be a given in Grand Slam tournaments.
Beaten last year in the final here, the top seeds were hot favourites over a Dutch pair playing as a team for the first time at Grand Slam level.

It was appropriate that Robin Haase and Igor Sijsling be in the final of the Aus Open, an event where the most famous and successful team from that country - Jacco Eltingh and Paul Haarhuis - had this year entertained fans in the Legends Doubles.

No expectations were placed on the unseeded combination and they were able to swing freely from the start, effecting a surprise break on the left handed Bob's opening serve to lead 1-0.

The unforced errors from the twins in that game were the last to be seen for the night as we treated to an almost flawless exhibition from the soon to be statistically most successful mens doubles combination at Grand Slam level, passing Newcombe and Roche.

Volleying superbly, the top seeds were able to rectify the problem immediately and force themselves on top in the match.  With both teams hitting plenty of winners the difference came with the knowledge of where to be on court both in relation to the opponents and especially partner.  Naturally the Bryans had a huge advantage virtually knowing what each other is about to do with a tennis racquet, how and from where.

In a flash 0-1 was 3-1 and a the break advantage was with the Americans.

The rest of the set played out on serve, and the crowd were treated to great doubles - the brothers' work had been done and serving out at 5-3 not a difficult ask.

Immediately breaking the Dutch pair in the second set was the goal and the top seeds achieved that one too on a night which was providing everything they wished for.

More winners, no sign of an unforced error, and amazing success on serve proved irresistable, and ultimately too much for Robin and Igor who battled manfully but were only ever destined for runner-up glory.

Number 13 Grand Slam doubles title (an incredible 6 Aus Opens among them) for the Bryans who now seek to win a second French Open, the only Grand Slam event which they have failed to win more than once.

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