MELBOURNE - Bob and Mike Bryan won their eighth career title at a Grand Slam event on Saturday, defeating Daniel Nestorand Nenad Zimonjic 6-3 6-7(5) 6-3 in the title match at the Australian Open.
The win marked a successful defense of the Australian Open doubles title for the Bryans, who are the No. 1team in the World. They will return to River Oaks in defense of their US Men’sClay Court Championship title April 5-11.
The title in Melbourne is the fourth the Southern California twins have won in Melbourne, and is their eighth title at a Grand Slam tournament. They are second to Australians Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde for most Slam titles by a team. The Woodies hold 11. Bob and Mike own 57 career titles overall, with is just shy of the record haul of 61 held by the Woodies.
The Bryans have finished as the year-end No. 1 team on the ATP World Tour five times in their career,including in 2009. In addition to their 2009 title in Houston, the brothers were victorious in 2007. They also reached the finals at the US Men’s Clay Court Championship in 1999.
Joining the Bryans at River Oaks in April will be four Top 30 singles players: No. 11 Fernando Gonzalez,No. 17 Tommy Haas, No. 28 John Isner and No. 29 Sam Querrey.
Season tickets, individual sessions and the finals weekend “Champ Pass” for the 2010 are on sale now. In2009, the final three days of the tournament sold out by mid-week. Information on tickets can be found at www.mensclaycourt.com/tickets