Bryan brothers clinch double triumph
Bryan Brothers
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Sealed with a trademark chest-bump, American twins Bob and Mike Bryan had two reasons to celebrate on Sunday after clinching their third ATP World Tour Finals title and returning to the year-end No.1 ranking in the process.
The duo end the year as the best doubles pair in the world for a fifth time after defeating Max Mirnyi and Andy Ram 7-6(3), 6-3 at the inaugural event at London’s O2 Arena.
Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic held the No.1 ranking ahead of the year-ending showpiece after beating the Bryan brothers in last year’s final, but their elimination at the round robin phase granted the American twins the chance to achieve what they describe as their ‘ultimate goal’.
“It means so much,” said Bob Bryan after Sunday’s final. “It’s pretty much what we play for now. I mean, that’s the goal. Play well in the Slams, but the ultimate goal is to finish No.1.”
Alongside brother Mike, the seven-time Grand Slam winner confessed to enjoying taking revenge on Canadian Nestor and Serb Zimonjic with their smash-and-grab assault at the No.1 ranking.
“To see this atmosphere for a doubles match is unbelievable.” – Mike Bryan
“We felt like it was stolen from us last year,” said the 31-year-old. “Now we kind of crept up on those guys and stole it from them this year. We feel like it’s a little bit of a payback.”
Inspired by the near-full 17,500 capacity crowd at the O2 Arena, Mike Bryan was particularly impressed with the coverage afforded to doubles – a side of tennis so often left waning under the radar.
“It was on TV, 16,000 people watching – it doesn’t get any better than that for doubles,” he said.
“Over the last few years, I think doubles is gaining a little bit of notoriety. Singles players are playing, the scoring format is exciting, they’re playing more matches on stadium court.
“To see this atmosphere for a doubles match is unbelievable.”
