Bryans Survive Scare to Move into Semis
The Bryans scraped through Bob and Mike Bryan came within a point of losing their Tennis
Masters Cup crown before coming back to defeat Leander Paes and
Nenad Zimonjic to finish top of the Red Group and deny Wayne Arthurs
and Paul Hanley a place in the semifinals.
The two-time defending champions, who clinched the year-end No.
1 spot following the elimination of Jonas Bjorkman and Max Mirnyi,
saved a match point at 6-7 in the third set tie-break before winning
7-5, 6-7(5), 7-6(7) in 2 hours, 30 minutes.
With Australian duo Arthurs and Hanley winning their final Round
Robin match against Mark Knowles and Daniel Nestor 6-3, 6-4 earlier
in the day, the Bryans knew they had to win their last group match
against Paes and Zimonjic to join their opponents in the semifinals.
They could have made their passage to the last four much easier
after leading by a set and 6-5, when they had two match points
on Paes' serve. However, the Indian saved those and they went
on to force a deciding set after winning the tie-break.
Paes and Zimonjic, who were already assured of their place in
the semifinals after winning both of their earlier matches, went
up a 3-1 in the third before the Bryans broke straight back and
the match went to another tie-break.
Paes and Zimonjic led 4-2 before the Americans hit back, leveling
at 5-5. Paes then faced a third match point on his serve but canceled
it out with a sublime half-volley pick-up. The Bryans then faced
a match point of their own, but Zimonjic failed to make a return
and the Americans finally converted their fourth match point to
book their place in the semifinals as group leaders, moving above
Paes and Zimonjic on head-to-head record.
"It was great tennis, great drama," said Bob. "Hopefully
we can do another one of those performances. I think it was a
great show. Luckily we were part of it. You know, can't expect
anything like that in the semis. Those come around once every
couple times a year. If it happens again in the semis, it's another
good match, then we'll be happy. This is the entertainment business.
We're out here to put on a good show for the fans."
Exclusive Audio | Press Transcripts
Wednesday Doubles: Black-Ullyett Move into Semis
Tuesday Doubles: Paes and Zimonjic Clinch Semifinal Berth
Monday Doubles: Huss-Moodie
Dent Bjorkman-Mirnyi's Hopes
Sunday Doubles: Arthurs-Hanley Stun Bryan Brothers
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