Paes and Stepanek Upend Bryan Brothers for Australian Open Doubles Crown
January 30, 2012 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Stockbyte
India’s Leander Paes & Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic defeated American brothers Bob & Mike Bryan in their attempt for a 12th Grand Slam doubles title in the finals of the 2012 Australian Open, 7-6, 6-2. The Bryan Brothers are now 33-years-old and were attempting to secure a spot with the most wins as a doubles team since the Open Era commenced in 1968.
“Obviously, it’s disappointing,” Bob Bryan said. “But you know, I thought we have had a great Australian swing, and we’re playing, at least I’m playing a lot better than I did last year already. It bodes well for the rest of the year."
This was just the fourth time that the team of Stepanek & Paes teamed up. The two lost to the Bryan Brothers just weeks earlier at the Sydney International event, and prior to that, haven’t played together in almost six years.
Mike Bryan double-faulted on match point which gave Paes & Stepanek the victory. This is the first time the two have lost in Melbourne since losing in the quarterfinals of 2008. Bob Bryan’s wife is due to give birth any day now, so the Bryans caught an early morning flight home on Sunday in hopes of making it home in time.
“I have something to look forward to going home, so my mind is going to get off the match a lot quicker than it usually would after a final like this,” said Bob Bryan.
