Bjorkman & Mirnyi Bow Out With Pride
© Getty Images Jonas Bjorkman and Max Mirnyi saw their Shanghai defense end Thursday despite beating Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram 6-4, 3-6, 10-7 (Match TB). The result ensures that Paul Hanley and Kevin Ullyett are now certain to qualify for the semifinals.
Bjorkman and Mirnyi, who have been a force on the ATP circuit since combining three years ago, were playing their final match together. Beginning in February 2008, Bjorkman will team with Zimbabwe's Ullyett. (The Swede will miss the Australian swing to be with his wife Petra, who is expecting their second child in mid January).
In the first set of Thursday's match, Bjorkman set up set point for the team with a well-disguised topspin lob over the head of Erlich. The Swede also scrambled a backhand return into play on the deciding point from a big Erlich serve, and Ram three shots later netted a backhand volley to end the set.
In the second set, at 3-3 deuce, serving to Ram in the ad court on the deciding point, Bjorkman paid the price for an aggressive second serve up the middle, which missed its target wide to concede a break. Erlich fought off two break points in the next game. Mirnyi then blew a 40/0 lead on serve, double faulting on set point to hand the set to the Israelis.
But Bjorkman and Mirnyi, who last year went undefeated in five matches en route to the title, raced to a 6-1 lead in the match tie-break after claiming two mini breaks on the Ram serve. Bjorkman and Mirnyi began the year by reaching the Australian Open final but won just one title, Stockholm, during the season.
Paul Hanley and Kevin Ullyett, who knew they had qualified before taking the court, celebrated their semifinal berth with a 6-3, 6-4 win over the previously unbeaten Martin Damm and Leander Paes. Both teams are playing their final tournament together. Should they both win their semifinals, they would meet again in the final.
Day 4 Doubles: Czechs Keep Semifinal Hopes Alive
Day 3 Doubles: Defending Champs Slip to 0-2
Day 2 Doubles: Knowles & Nestor Save 2 Match Points
Day 1 Doubles: Erlich & Ram Save Match Point
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