Bryan Brothers Clinch No. 1
Bob and Mike Bryan have won
26 career titles together.
Twin brothers Bob and Mike Bryan emerged victorious in the battle for the top spot in the ATP Doubles Race, holding off Jonas Bjorkman-Max Mirnyi's advances to secure year-end No. 1 honors for the second time in three years.
As a result of No. 2 ranked Bjorkman-Mirnyi's second round robin loss in the Tennis Masters Cup, the Bryans are guaranteed to finish as the No. 1 team on the ATP circuit. The Bryans will be awarded the ATP Doubles Race trophy by Waterford Crystal later in the tournament.
Bob Bryan said: “It feels unbelievable. It was always our goal at the start of the year. To finish No. 1 for the second time is a great achievement."
Mike Bryan said: "It's a good feeling to be the No. 1 team in the world. We had a great season and hope to finish the year strong here in Shanghai."
The Bryans compiled an outstanding 2005 season by capturing at least five titles for the fourth consecutive year, including their second career Grand Slam at the US Open. They also won ATP titles in Scottsdale, Queen's, Washington and the final ATP Masters Series tournament of the season in Paris. They made history as the second team in 50 years to reach the final in all four Grand Slams in one season (Bhupathi-Paes in 1999) as they were finalists at the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon. They also were runners-up in Memphis and ATP Masters Series Monte Carlo and Rome.
The Bryans, looking to advance to the semifinals, are the two-time defending champions at the Tennis Masters Cup and they play their final round robin match on Thursday against Leander Paes and Nenad Zimonjic. The Bryans are bidding to become the first team to win three straight doubles titles at the year-end championships since Peter Fleming and John McEnroe won the Masters title seven straight years from 1978-84.
ATP chairman Etienne de Villiers said, "This could not happen to a more deserving pair. They represent all we seek in great sportsmen- they are talented, dedicated and passionate; and they know how to win. And in addition they are approachable, charismatic and highly promotable athletes and role models. We hope they will continue to play an integral and highly valued role in professional tennis."
The most successful brothers tandem in the Open Era (since 1968) have won 26 career titles together. They also appeared in an ATP-high 11 finals in 2005.
Q&A: Bryan Brothers Return Serve
|
