Bryan Bros. Clinch Stanford ATP Doubles Race

American brothers Bob and Mike Bryan have clinched the Stanford ATP Doubles Race for the third consecutive year and for the fourth time in the past five years. The Bryans have held a commanding lead all season since beginning the year with the Australian Open title. The Bryans currently have an unassailable 390-point lead over No. 2 team Mark Knowles and Daniel Nestor.

The Bryans, who next week will play the pivotal doubles rubber in the United States’ Davis Cup semifinal in Sweden, have won a career-high eight titles in 2007: the Australian Open, ATP Masters Series crowns in Miami, Monte-Carlo and Hamburg, Las Vegas, Houston, Los Angeles and Washington. They have a 63-9 record on the season and have reached finals in 12 of the 18 tournaments they have played.

The Bryans will now set their sights on winning 10 or more titles for the first time in their careers and winning a third Tennis Masters Cup doubles crown in Shanghai in November.

Mike Bryan said: "Every year we set out with one main goal: to finish No. 1. I think we played some of the best tennis of our careers and worked hard to improve. We feel lucky to be in this position again considering how many tough teams we compete against."

Bob Bryan said: "When we started out we dreamed of finishing No. 1 in the world, but never imagined that we'd be there four out of the last five years. It's been such an amazing year for us with a career-best eight titles so far. We're really looking forward to playing the Masters Cup in Shanghai and hope to finish the year strong."

The legendary Australian pairing of Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde is the only other team to finish No. 1 for three straight years (1995-97). The Bryans are the first team to finish No. 1 four times in five years, but ‘the Woodies’ hold the record for most year-end No. 1 finishes (five), having also topped the team standings in 1992 and 2000.

The Bryans have won 41 career titles and stand fifth in the list of Open Era team titles leaders. The Bryans and Knowles/Nestor are the only teams to have clinched berths at the 2007 Tennis Masters Cup.

http://www.atptennis.com/en/news/2007/bryans_clinch.asp


I only posted this because I think there are a few people that follow doubles more than singles.
 

raginasian

New User
Actually, from watching the Bryan Bros a few times, I'm actually intrigued by doubles. I'm saddened to hear the comment that it's dying. I think the next generation of tennis players are raised without enough emphasis on doubles play or volleys. I, for one, think that I would enjoy playing doubles. The team spirit looks very high, and it looks entertaining to play. In some ways, I think it would be easier to develop than a singles game. That's my two cents.
 

Topaz

Legend
Don't worry raginasian, I don't think it will 'die', and all three doubles finals were shown from the USOpen. I could be wrong, but I don't remember that happening previously.

I hope Bjorkman and Mirnyi end up getting in...it could be close with their dismal (for them) season.
 
Don't worry raginasian, I don't think it will 'die', and all three doubles finals were shown from the USOpen. I could be wrong, but I don't remember that happening previously.

I hope Bjorkman and Mirnyi end up getting in...it could be close with their dismal (for them) season.


oh yeah certainly, they are on the outside looking in. They'll have to win one of the Master Series most likely.
 

simi

Hall of Fame
Thanks for posting. Yes, a few of us still enjoy doubles. I go to Indian Wells every year specifically to watch doubles. Too bad that Knowles and Nestor are breaking up at the end of this year. Perhaps if they win the Master's Cup, they will continue on. Let's hope Jonas and Max make it in, as well as Erlich and Ram. It's going to be a good Cup this year.
 
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