Bryan brothers thwarted in attempt to win calendar year Grand Slam
NEW YORK -- The 35-year-old twins Mike and Bob Bryan of Camarillo had their attempt at their first calendar year men’s doubles Grand Slam halted by the fourth-seeded team of 40-year-old Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek on Thursday in the semifinals at the U.S. Open.
Paes and Stepanek, dancing and joking in between points, dominated the third set of a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 win in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
When Mike Bryan finished the first set with an ace, it seemed the Bryans were well on their way to the finals. The last time a men’s doubles team won a calendar-year Grand Slam was in 1951 by Australians Frank Sedgman and Ken McGregor.
After losing the second set it seemed the Bryans spent most of the third set saving break points. Mike saved two in the third game but not a third and Paes and Stepanek moved ahead for good. A Stepanek forehand winner gave his team a 5-1 lead with two service breaks.
The Bryans held for 2-5 and rallied to 4-5, but Stepanek served out the match.
The Bryans have 15 Grand Slam career titles, the most in history.
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