Being the main force in men's doubles for the past decade now, the Bryan brothers showed no intentions of losing their credentials as they started the 2012 season in imperious form by winning the Apia International in Sydney.
The American top seeds were in cruise control throughout the week, triumphing without losing a set in four encounters. Although it wasn't quite a walk in the park though, when the going got tough, the unbeatable duo kept composure and managed to prevail. Their first 'victim' was the newly formed team of Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi and Jean-Julien Rojer, against whom they won 7-6,6-4. The stiffest test of the tournament came in the quarterfinals, when they needed two close tie-breaks to defeat Indian Leander Paes and Czech Radek Stepanek. Into the semifinals, the Bryans produced another sharp performance, showcasing once more their doubles brilliance while obtaining an easy 6-4,6-2 victory against the British tandem of Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchings. Having lost three of their four previous finals in Sydney, the 2011 runner-ups were up for a little vengeance and they set their intent straight right from the get-go. After building a commanding 5-0 first set advantage, the world number ones never looked behind, sailing to a 6-1,6-4 win over the first-time pairing of Australian Matthew Ebden and Finn Jarkko Nieminen. Nieminen was trying to complete the double, as he took the court a few hours after he defeated Frenchman Julien Benneteau for the singles trophy. However, his efforts were cut short, as he and his partner rarely looked in contention.
Having already established themselves as the best team in history with 76 career titles, a record in the Open Era, the Bryan twins are now settings their sights on successfully defending their Australian Open crown. In doing so, they will move ahead of Australians Woodforde and Woodbridge with whom they currently share the record for most Grand Slam trophies with 11 apiece.
photo: GETTY IMAGES
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