January 9, 2013 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Kenneth B. Goldberg
Defending champions Bob & Mike Bryan advanced to the semifinals of the Apia International Sydney, defeating the French duo of Julien Benneteau & Michael Llodra 6-3, 6-2. The top-seeded American twins saved all six break points and won 73 percent of first serve points. The Bryans will next meet third seeded Marcel Granollers & Marc Lopez, who defeated Jeremy Chardy & Lukasz Kubot, 3-6, 6-4, 13-11.
In the bottom half of the draw, the Spanish duo of David Marrero & Fernando Verdasco advanced after second seeds Radek Stepanek & Leander Paes handed them a walkover. Stepanek had earlier retired in the opening game of his second-round singles match with a back injury.
Second seeded Mahesh Bhupathi & Daniel Nestor survived a close encounter with Australian wildcards Matthew Ebden & Marinko Matosevic, winning 3-6, 7-6(2), 10-8. The Indian/Canadian team were unable to convert any of four break point chances but won more points on return games than their opponents.
