(April 12th, 2013) --
Bob and Mike Bryan recorded yet another remarkable achievement in their legendary careers by winning their 800th match as a team at the U.S. Clay Court Championships in Houston.
With their 6-3, 6-4 semifinal win over
Johan Brunstrom and
Jesse Levine, the Bryans secured the milestone win and with it a trip to the finals where they hope to raise their fifth trophy at the event.
“It feels good to get No. 800. Winning never gets old," said Mike Bryan to ATP.com afterwards.
The brothers celebrated by eating some cake after the match. Bob Bryan earlier in the week won his 800th career match.
Williams Reaches First Career ATP Semifinal
Rhyne Williams continued his breakout run this week in Houston by advancing to his first career ATP semifinal. But it took him awhile to get there as he faced veteran Spaniard
Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo.
Despite taking the first set in a tiebreak, Williams appeared to run out of energy as he netted only one game in the second set and soon found himself down a break for 0-3 in the third.
But the Tennessee native rallied thanks to strong hitting from his forehand side. Williams climbed to a 5-3 lead and though he missed out on two match point chances, he soon served out the match to love with a final ace sealing the 7-6(1), 1-6, 6-4 win.
Williams, who said later that he did feel some strain in his left glute and hamstring, commented on his recent success in Texas that includes him winning the recent Dallas Challenger a few weeks ago.
"Let’s just make every tournament in Texas. I don’t know why [I play so well here], it’s crazy. I really don’t know."
Williams will next meet top seed
Nicolas Almagro who dispatched No. 7 seed
Paolo Lorenzi 6-4, 6-4. Almagro hit nine aces and converted on all three break point chances.
The second semi will be a rematch of last year's final between
John Isner and defending champion
Juan Monaco.
Isner was forced again to battle in three sets versus
Ricardas Berankis of Lithuania. Each man broke the other just once in the first two sets and that forced a decisive final set. But it was Isner, thanks to a total of 19 aces, who came out the winner 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.
Monaco quickly halted the run of qualifier
Robby Ginepri who was no match for his opponent. Monaco raced away with the match 6-1, 6-0 in just under an hour.