Bob and Mike Bryan defended last year’s China Open title with a
win Sunday over the Polish team of Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin
Matkowski, 6-1 7-6(5) on Lotus Court。
The twin brothers’ fast-paced style of play, quick volleys and
overhead put-aways overpowered the world No. 13 doubles team into a
quick submission of the first set, which lasted only 21 minutes. The
second set was tighter, but the Bryan brothers
Under ominous clouds, the match began with the Bryans jumping out
to a 2-0 lead after breaking Matkowski’s opening service game。
Matkowski double-faulted on a break point to lose his serve again and give the Bryans a 4-1 advantage。
At 5-1, Fyrstenberg double-faulted to hand the first set to the Bryans.
The second set opened with both teams trading service games, until
at 3-3, with Mike Bryan serving, Matkowski and Fyrstenberg each hit a
forehand winner to give them two chances to break. Bob Bryan missed a
volley at the net, and the Poles went up 4-3.
Playing down a break for the first time in the China Open 2010
tournament, the Bryan’s attacked Matkowski’s service game, much as they
did in the first set, to even the score at 5 games apiece。
After Mike Bryan’s service game put the twins up 6-5, the
threatening clouds opened up. What began as a sprinkle turned into a
steady stream of rain and play was suspended for approximately an hour。
Once the rain subsided, the teams returned to the court and Fyrstenberg served the second set into a tiebreak。
In a thrilling conclusion, both teams could not win their opening
service points. Mike Bryan missed a volley, and Matkowski sent one
volley long and another into the net to bring the score to 2-1 Bryans。
The most exciting point in the match came at 5-5 with Matkowski
serving. The Bryans played from the baseline, while the Poles stayed at
the net。
In the longest rally by far, the pairs traded volleys and
groundstrokes until Bob Bryan hit a forehand winner to give them match
point. Another forehand winner tied it up。
In a post-match press conference, Mike Bryan admitted that the long rally was “probably the point of the match。”
To celebrate their second China Open doubles title, the twins
performed their signature chest bump after the match. Once they were
awarded the gold trophy, they appeased the crowd with a second bump to
huge applause。
The win at the 2010 China Open is the 10th title for the Bryans
this year, claimed on 10/10/2010. It is also the 66th title of their
career.
By Mary Bonnette
