Bryans Put U.S. in Final for First Time Since ’97

Twins Bob and Mike Bryan led the United States into the final of the Davis Cup for the first time in seven years with a 6-1, 6-3, 7-5 win Saturday over Max Mirnyi and Vladimir Voltchkov of Belarus.

The victory by the Bryans, the world’s seventh-ranked doubles team, set off a jubilant celebration at the Family Circle Tennis Center.

The crowd rose and chanted “USA!” and members of the American team, who lost only one set in three matches over two days, formed a circle and hugged each other. Then, holding the flag, they took a victory lap around the stadium.

The Americans face the winner of the weekend’s other semifinal between Spain and France. If the Spanish win, they play host to the final. The Americans will be the host team if France advances. Spain led, 2-1, after Saturday’s matches.

The United States has won the Davis Cup a record 31 times. But the Americans last made the final in 1997 and last won in 1995.

Not since an 11-year gap between 1926 and 1937 has the United States gone longer without winning the Davis Cup.

The Americans built a commanding lead in the semifinals when Andy Roddick and Mardy Fish won singles matches on Friday.

“It was huge going in there 2-0 and knowing we can go in there and kind of put the hammer down,” Bob Bryan said. “It’s huge motivation for us.”