Bryans clinch Davis Cup for U.S.

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Whether it was the passing shot of inspiration from Rick Leach to twins Bob and Mike Bryan in 1990, or Andy Roddick’s “eureka” moment two years later while watching the Davis Cup final at Fort Worth, the foundation for the United States’ winning campaign this year was carefully constructed long ago.

Years in the making and mere hours in the taking.

The long miles of an often angst-ridden journey evaporated in a two-day rush here as the U.S. won the first three matches against Russia in the Davis Cup final -- dropping just one set -- with the Bryans clinching it Saturday, defeating Igor Andreev and Nikolay Davydenko, 7-6 (4), 6-4, 6-2.

Davis Cup deliverance, punctuated by a Bob Bryan volley, brought the rest of the team off the bench and sent the loud sellout crowd at Memorial Coliseum into a wave of jubilation. It is the United States’ 32nd Davis Cup title, but its first since 1995.

Thousands of matches prepared the Bryans for their star turn and the brothers from Camarillo didn’t even need two hours to reach the top of the tennis mountain, facing (and saving) just one break point. They trailed, 1-3, in the first-set tiebreaker, lost one more point, then broke Davydenko in the opening game of the second.

“We’ve been working since we were 2 years old for this one moment,” Mike Bryan said. “All I say is, ‘Whoooo!’ ”

Said James Blake, who won a taut, four-set singles match against Mikhail Youzhny on Friday: “This team is not just this year. This team is from Winston-Salem in 2001. From Robby [Ginepri] coming back from two sets to love down in Connecticut, from Mardy [Fish] winning a huge match in Bratislava to make sure we didn’t get relegated.”

For U.S. Captain Patrick McEnroe, this was something that his more famous brother, John, never achieved as captain in 2000. Patrick McEnroe, asked if this was his best moment in tennis, demurred until Roddick jumped in and said, “Say yes.”

Said McEnroe, laughing: “Yes, it is. It feels great.”

McEnroe has become a better captain in the years since he signed on in 2001, successfully merging the personalities and bringing in a new generation. He finally became a believer in the Bryans after they won the French Open in 2003, and the twins have lost just once in 14 Davis Cup matches.

The anticipation of Saturday was agonizing for the Bryans.

“I’ve been nauseous for three days,” Bob Bryan said. “I’m not going to try to hide that my stomach was doing back flips. I had a circus of monkeys in my stomach just playing tambourine in there.”

Said Mike Bryan: “I didn’t sleep that great for probably the last week, taking Ambien, doing whatever it takes.”

Their proud father, Wayne, had to make a last-minute schedule adjustment with his manager Friday night after Roddick and Blake put the U.S. ahead, 2-0, pulling out of working at a Pete Sampras exhibition in Chicago scheduled for Saturday.

“I assumed we’d be 1-1,” Wayne said. “And suddenly, my God, ‘The guys can actually win the Davis Cup.’ It was 9 and then 10, and I said, ‘You guys have to get me out of this gig.’ I may never work again.

“Seeing this is worth it all. . . . The money they’ve made, they’d give it all back for this and work at Taco Bell.”

Andreev noted the obvious difference between his doubles team and the No. 1-ranked Bryans, saying: “They’re much better doubles players.”

And Mike Bryan said: “You can tell these guys haven’t played together too often. Sometimes they’re a fish out of water at net.”

Doubles unease and unfamiliarity surfaced when Davydenko stepped in front of an annoyed Andreev to take a ground stroke up the middle, which could have led to an embarrassing pratfall.

The only time the Bryans collide is on purpose, when executing their trademark chest bump. Long before that was hatched, their Davis Cup dreams were nurtured by a chance meeting with Leach.

Leach attended Saturday’s match and congratulated Wayne Bryan afterward. Wayne recalled the day in Carlsbad in 1990 when his kids told Leach they had won the Long Beach junior event, the 10-and-under division.

“He softly said, ‘Yeah, I won that one too,’ ” Wayne said. “All the way home from the Davis Cup they said, ‘We’re going to play that.’ ”

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lisa.dillman@latimes.com