The Bryan Brothers of the USA edged out playing captain Lleyton Hewitt and John Peers of Australia 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, 6-3 to put the visiting US up 2-1 going into the final day of Davis Cup action from Kooyong. The Bryans needed two hours and thirty minutes to put away Hewitt and Peers in another classic Davis Cup five setter. The Bryans remain undefeated in road Davis Cup matches for the US.
Bryans Cruise Through Opening Set
In the first set, both teams held serve to begin the match. The Bryans held again to go up 2-1, before breaking Hewitt and Peers for 3-1. Both teams held again for 4-2. In the seventh game of the match, the Aussies had two break chances on the American twins, but failed to convert, keeping the Bryans' break lead. Hewitt and Peers held before the Bryans served out the set 6-3.
Second Set Similar Story To First
Both teams held serve three times each to bring the score to 3-3. In the seventh game of the set, the American twins broke Hewitt and Peers to go up 4-3. The Bryans held serve to consolidate the break and then broke again to take a two sets to love lead.
Hewitt and Peers Fight Back In Third
Both teams held serve three times each to bring the set to 3-3. In the seventh game of the set, the Aussie duo gained their first break of the match to go up 4-3 in the third set. The Aussies then held before the Bryans did to put the pressure on Hewitt and Peers to serve out the set. They made no mistake serving out the set, taking the third set on their second set point, to close the gap to two sets to one.
Hewitt and Peers Force Fifth Set
Both teams held their opening service games to bring the score to 1-1. Hewitt and Peers played an incredible return game to break for 2-1 on their second break chance. The Australian pair then held before the Bryans fended off four break points to keep the gap at one break. Both teams each held serve twice, to bring the set to 5-4, with Hewitt and Peers serving to force a fifth set. The Aussie pairing served out the set in emphatic fashion, holding to love to force a decisive, fifth set.
The Bryans Edge Out Hewitt And Peers
The American team began the set holding serve before breaking Hewitt and Peers easily for a 2-0 lead. The twins then held for 3-0, a big lead in a huge fifth set, one that could decide the outcome of the tie. Both teams held their next two service games to bring the score to 5-2. With Hewitt and Peers serving at 5-2, the American twins held three match points, but the tenacious Aussies fought on, forcing the Bryans to have to serve it out. The American team did just that, holding to love to take the set and the match, giving America a huge 2-1 lead going into the final day of Davis Cup action.
The US Team On The Win
“I just think we did a great job of regrouping,” said Bob Bryan. “Credit to Mike, he hit a couple of great returns early in that fifth set.”
“The level was incredible from both sides of the net,” said captain, Jim Courier. “Obviously it got very complicated there after the second set. But they really put a stamp on it early in the fifth.”
The Bryans Behind The Numbers
Necessary on a grass court surface, the Bryans put up a terrific serving performance to win the crucial doubles rubber. The twins blasted fifteen aces and made 69% of first serves. The American pair won 74% of first serve points and an outstanding 71% of points on second serves. The Bryan's aggressive game plan played dividends throughout today, cracking 46 winners to only seven unforced errors.
What To Expect On Day Three From Kooyong
First up on day three from Kooyong is the fourth rubber with Aussie number one Bernard Tomic facing big serving American John Isner. With both players being their country's number one player, this rubber can be sure to be a great one. If Tomic wins to keep Australia alive, the fifth and decisive rubber would pit Aussie big server Sam Groth against American Jack Sock. Expect the Aussies to get fully behind Tomic and Groth and try to propel the green and gold to victory.