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Bryans win doubles final
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Published 28/01/2006 at 08:38 GMT
Top seeds Mike and Bob Bryan of the U.S. came from a set down to beat Czech Republic's Martin Damm and India's Leander Paes 4-6 6-3 6-4 in the Australian Open men's doubles final on Saturday.
TENNIS - 2006 Australian Open - Men's Doubles - Bryan
Image credit: Reuters
In a tense, dramatic match full of superb net play by both pairs, Paes and Damm broke Mike Bryan's serve in the seventh game of the match to give them the first set.
The twins broke Paes in the eighth game of the second set to send it into a decider.
They broke Damm early in the third set then had their own serves placed under intense pressure, saving one break point in the sixth game and four in the eighth to set up the opportunity to serve out for the match.
"I had nothing left in my body by the end of that match,"
Bob Bryan told a news conference. "It was so emotional...there was a lot of energy there and we were hanging on.
"We were down break points pretty much every game in the third. It was just pure relief and happiness and excitement at the end."
The 27-year-old twins, who became just the second pair in 50 years to make all four grand slam finals last year, were playing their third successive final at Melbourne Park.
They lost to Wayne Black and Kevin Ullyett in 2005 and to French pair Michael Llodra and Fabrice Santoro in 2004.
"I had every type of emotion, pissed off, jacked up, you know, just let it all hang out," said Mike Bryan.
"By the end there, we could see the light at the end of the tunnel and it feels good to get this notch because over the last two years we have came up a little short.
"There's nothing more special than winning a slam with your brother. So this is going to feel good for a long time."
The Bryans have won two previous grand slam titles together -- the 2003 French Open and last year's U.S. Open.
Despite being the top-ranked doubles players in the world the Bryans do not feel they could win all four Grand Slam tournaments in a calendar year.
"There's so many good teams," said Bob. "This tennis is so even. I feel fortunate for every one of these we win. To put four in a row together, that seems pretty impossible."
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