Monday, August 18, 2003
It's a twins killing: Bryans win fourth tourney of year
By Shannon Russell
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MASON - Californian twins Bob and Mike Bryan won their fourth tennis title of the year Sunday in the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters doubles championship, ousting Aussies Wayne Arthurs and Paul Hanley 7-5, 7-6 (5).
But walking away with $100,000 and 100 ATP Champions Race points was only half a day's fun for the brothers, who are No. 1 in the ATP Team Race.
Next stop: bungee jumping on Kings Island's Xtreme SkyFlyer.
"We made a bet if we won this tournament, we might have to go on that sky ride. (Bob) went on it two years ago and I didn't go on it, so maybe it's my turn," said Mike, 25, who is older by two minutes.
Xtreme SkyFlyer, a stone's throw from the Lindner Family Tennis Center, drops thrill-seekers 17 stories at 60 miles per hour.
"So if I'm dead, that's how I died," Mike said, grinning.
The second-seeded Bryans won three matches in straight sets to earn a championship berth against No. 7 Arthurs-Hanley. It was the first Cincinnati final for both pairs.
The Bryans' 13th doubles title also guaranteed the first all-American singles and doubles champions in Cincinnati since 1989.
Backed by a home-country crowd, the Bryans drew big cheers - and even a fan club. A group of spectators wearing neon green shirts unrolled a "Bryan's Bunch" pennant during breaks.
Their identical features were easy to separate on the court; Bob is left-handed, Mike's a righty.
After celebrating their first-set victory with a chest bump, the brothers struggled to establish a second-set advantage. They tied Arthurs-Hanley six times before the tiebreak, then clawed back from a 3-0 tiebreak hole.
"I was getting frustrated after I missed every return. I'm like 'I can't make one,' " Bob said.
The Bryans have won ATP titles at Barcelona, the French Open, Nottingham and Cincinnati since April. They won their first Grand Slam at the French. .
Both are eager for the Aug. 25 U.S. Open.
"I don't think we played our best tennis this week, so we're going to go to New York and keep tightening it up," Bob said.
Mike entered the post-match interview room Sunday with ice on his right wrist. He said the injury was nothing to worry about, and nothing tennis-related.
"I'm a drummer and I'm stupid. I know every time I play drums it hurts, but we had two gigs and I didn't warm up my wrist," Mike said.
The Bryan Brothers Band plays 10 to 15 times a year at tournaments. Bob, who plays the keyboard, and Mike donate the proceeds to charity.
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E-mail srussell@enquirer.com
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