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Come in No.62 ” Bryans in hunt for record title


 

Originally published on: 29/07/10 11:29

Bob and Mike Bryan opened their bid to win a record 62nd career doubles title together with a 6-3 6-4 win over Mardy Fish and Mark Knowles at the Farmers Classic in Los Angeles.

The top seeds, who were born a short drive from the LA Tennis Center on the UCLA campus, are currently tied with Australian doubles legends Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde. The 61-time titlists were inducted into the Hall of Fame this year.

The Farmers Classic is the third shot at the Woodies’ trophy haul after winning in Madrid in the run-up to Roland Garros, where they exited in the second round. They reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon before falling to Wes Moodie and Dick Norman.

And while breaking the record with a Grand Slam might have felt particularly sweet, the five-time LA champs say winning in their own back yard would be every bit as special.

“It feels great to be on that court,” Mike Bryan, the elder brother by two minutes, said. “You look around and see a lot of familiar faces and it gives you a shot of energy. We played on that court when we were six years old and probably every year since. It’s our favorite court in the world.”

The win moves the duo three matches away from the title, but Bob Bryan reckons they felt greater pressure bidding to level the record with their 61st title in Madrid.

“That was the number we were looking at,” he said. “We want to play this game for another five years. We don’t feel that pressure.”

The Bryans will face Ernests Gulbis and Dmitry Tursunov in the quarter-finals. The Latvian-Russian pair beat Santiago Gonzalez and Travis Rettenmaier 6-3 3-6 11-9.

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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.