Bryans stunned by Hanley/Marray in the second round – BNP Paribas Masters 2012
Most decorated doubles team in the history of tennis, Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan, lost to the unseeded Australian-British duo of Paul Hanley and Jonathan Marray in the second round of the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris.
After surprisingly losing the opener, Bryans came back from the jaws of defeat to claim the second one but they could not deal with their rivals’ onslaught in the match tie-breaker, losing the encounter 4-6, 7-6(2), 5-10 after
fighting for one hour and 20 minutes.
The contest was started steadily by both teams, as they held their serve in the first nine games to take the score to 5-4 in favour of Hanley and Marray. Bob and Bike were unable to hold their serve at that moment and went down
4-6.
Both teams put on a brilliant display of serving in the second set, as neither of them dropped it even once till the end, levelling the score at 6-6 and forcing a tie-breaker. The twins gained a 5-1 lead and made the most of it
to win 7-6(2).
Bryan brothers and Hanley/Marray went on equal terms till the first six points, levelling the proceedings at 3-3. The Australian-British tandem raised the level of the game from that point onwards, winning seven of the subsequent
nine to grab it 10-5.
Marray came into lime light after winning this year’s Wimbledon Championships with Fredrik Nielsen. They have qualified for the ATP World Tour Finals courtesy to the Grand Slam finish and top 20 finish but they don’t play together
on regular basis.
Commenting on this situation, Marray said, "It is not ideal really. Obviously it would be preferable to have only one partner for the whole season and that is what I am trying to look ay be ne nd ok for next year.
He added, "I have asked Freddie what his plans are for next year and he has told me singles is his priority so I am on the look-out for a regular partner. If it is to be our last event together, it would be great to go out on a
high."
Hanley and Marray will play French wild card entrants, Josselin Ouanna and Nicolas Renavand, in the quarters.
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