Bryan Brothers trounce Benneteau/Llodra to give USA 2-1 lead – Davis Cup 2012
World number one doubles team, Bob and Mike Bryan, proved their class after dumping the French veterans, Julien Benneteau and Michael Llodra, in straight sets at the World Group quarter-finals of the Davis Cup 2012 on Saturday. They nudged up a 6-4, 6-4,
7-6(4) victory against their rivals and led America take a 2-1 lead on these French clay courts.
The visiting team suffered the first blow when the French number one, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga outlasted the American teenager, Ryan Harrison, in four sets. However, John Isner tumbled over Gilles Simon to level the scores at 1-1. The American twins showed their
top notch performance and trashed Benneteau-Llodra collaboration to help their country inch towards advancing in the semi-finals.
“We came in today and played a really solid match, especially on our serve,” Mike commented after the match. “Not being down a break point on serve especially against a great team on dirt is a great stat with us. It wasn’t flashy, we just played our workmanlike
doubles today.”
“Davis Cup nerves are always the worst kind of nerves,” Bob was quoted about the pressure he felt during the match. “You can’t help but get nervous especially when you’re away.”
Bryans thundered into the Monte Carlo Country Club in Roquebrune, France and drew the first blood in the opening game to take the initial lead. They then held their composure and swiped in entire serves with poise, eventually sealing the opener with a 6-4
win.
The high-spirited American veterans kept momentum floating in the following set and earned the coveted break in the opening game again, subsequently jumping to a 2-0 lead. They smashed angled shots down the line to keep remaining serves and clinched the
set with a 6-4 score line.
Bob and Mike Bryans carried their winning ways in the final set and plucked entire serves without facing any real challenge. However, they failed to cash in any break chance in this set and dragged the set to the tie-breaker. The American cruised to a 5-2
lead in it before pulling out the set with a 7-6(4) win.
The Americans are bidding for a single point to advance into the next round. Isner will square off against the French star, Tsonga, in the reverse singles rubber.
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