(July 6, 2013) -- A nervous start from the top seeds
Bob and Mike Bryan delayed but did not ultimately deny their historic run to a third Wimbledon men's doubles title Saturday afternoon.
Facing first time Grand Slam finalists in the team of Brazil's
Marcelo Melo and Croatia's
Ivan Dodig, it was the Bryans who came out more tense in the opening set, despite their years of experience. That became evident early on when Mike Bryan, while up a net, whiffed a makable volley. Things only got worse when the Bryans soon fell behind 0-5.
But the Bryans got hold of their nerves and soon mounted a mini-comeback to take the next three games. Dodig and Melo eventually took the first set 6-3, but it was clear the Bryans were finally into the match.
Depsite their opponents continuing to play well, it was the Bryans who cleaned up their own service games in the second and third sets. Never facing a break point, the Bryans converted on their lone break point chances in each set to take a two sets to one lead.
At 4-all in the fourth, Mike Bryan hit a forehand passing shot between Dodig and Melo to earn a break of serve that pushed his team to 5-4. Bob Bryan, with back-to-back aces, served out the 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 win.
This marks the third Wimbledon title for the Bryans. Having won the U.S. Open, Australian Open, French Open and the Olympic gold medal last summer, the Bryans completed a rare "Golden Slam." Or as some are calling it, a "Golden Bryan Slam."
The Bryans are the first doubles team in the Open Era to hold all four majors in their possession. If they win the upcoming US Open later this summer, the Bryans will complete a rare calendar Grand Slam.
"It's hard to even dream that we'd have the slam, all four at one time," said Mike Bryan afterwards about their achievement. "It all started back after we won the gold. It just felt like a huge pressure was released. Went on to win the Open and had a great summer. This year we've been on an amazing tear. Never had a streak like this. Especially at 35, I feel like we're hitting our peak."
When asked about continuing to keep adding on major titles later in their career, Bob Bryan said, "I think that's the reason why we've been playing so well, is because we have everything. Everything now feels like a bonus. It just feels like we're adding nuts and whipped cream and cherries to our great career. We said that a few years ago if we retire today, we feel like we've done it all. Let's go have some fun and add to whatever this is."
Wimbledon is the 91st career title for the Bryans and their ninth of the 2013 season. Both brothers have no plans of slowing down.
“This has been the best period of our career by far,” Bob Bryan said earlier to ESPN. “Doubles takes a long time to figure out and we feel like we got it now. We wanna do this for as long as we're having fun. You'll probably see us out here when we're 50.”