Bryans down Qureshi/Rojer to qualify for the title match – French Open 2012
World number three, Bob Bryans and Mike Bryan, moved one step closer to regaining their title, as they defeated the in-form Pakistani-Dutch duo of Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi and Jean-Julien Rojer in straight sets 6-3, 7-6(6) in the semi-finals
of the French Open in Paris on Thursday.
The Americans took one hour and 33 minutes to beat their opponents and reach the final.
The match was started in a steady manner by both teams, as they held their serves in the first seven games to take the score to 4-3 in favour of the Bryans. The twins broke the ice by grabbing breakthrough in the eighth and capitalised
on it to triumph 6-3.
Bryans served superbly, banging in three aces and not committing even a single double fault. They had an incredibly conversion rate, winning stunningly 14 of the 15 first and six of the seven second delivery points. The Americans
did not try to attack too much, as they fired just three aces and did not make any unforced error. Bryans did not face any break point and capitalised on the only chance they received in the opener.
In the second set, Bryans and Qureshi/Rojer held their serve in the first four games to level the score at 2-2. The Americans broke their opponents in the fifth to move ahead 3-2 but the Pakistani-Dutch tandem hit back immediately
to even it out at 3-3. Both teams did not allow each to break in the rest of the set, taking the proceedings to 6-6 and forcing a tie-breaker. Bob/Mike and Qureshi/Rojer went neck to neck again till 6-6 but then the former captured two straight points to close
it 7-6(6).
Bryans bombarded six aces on the Pakistani-Dutch pair but their first serve percentage was low at 58. The right and left combination converted 18 of the 25 first and 12 of the 18 second deliveries into points. The Americans utilised
one of the four break opportunities they created and put away one of the two break threats they came across in the second set.
Giving an interview afterwards, Bob said, "Expectations are a lot higher. I remember when we made the quarters in '02. ... 'Great tournament, guys. Awesome job.' And that's how we felt in '02. Now if we don't come in and win, we're
taking swings at each other back at the hotel."
Bryans will lock horns with defending champions, Max Mirnyi and Daniel Nestor, in the final showdown.
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