Australian Open 2012 – Men tennis highlights and updates

Written by: Staff on 28th January 2012

Australian Open 2012 - Men tennis highlights and updates

epa03082974 Radek Stepanek (R) of the Czech Republic and Leander Paes of India celebrate championship point after winning their mens' doubles final match against Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan of the United States of America in the men's doubles final match at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 28 January 2012. EPA/CAMERON SPENCER / POOL |

Doubles – Final: Paes/Stepanek def. (1) Bryan/Bryan 7-6(7-1) 6-2

Leander Paes never seems to grow old. Either that, or Bob Bryan just had too much on his mind. Hard to blame him, given that his wife is having a child right about — now. But it was Mike Bryan who double-faulted on match point….

It won’t affect the rankings near the top; the Bryans remain #1, and Leander Paes, last year’s finalist, will stay at #7. But it matters for the record books. Had the Bryans won this, they would have twelve Slams as a team — the highest total for a pairing in the Open Era. We still suspect they’ll make it. The only question is when.

Their winning streak here is ended at 23.

Leander Paes won’t break any records for Slam titles. But he earns his seventh overall — and his first here, giving him a career Slam. He commented afterward, “It’s many years of hard work. I have been in the game of tennis 25-plus years, and it’s given me so much. I love playing my game of tennis at my age. I’m going to be 39 this year. The reason I can still win Grand Slams is, one, I know how to pick great partners; and, two, I’m very passionate about my daily schedule. Every day I put myself on the line, and that’s a lot of fun.” It shows; he already has two titles in 2012, and with two different partners.

For Radek Stepanek, it is his first Slam. He will triple his points. He has had good doubles results in the past; finally that will show up in the record books.

Paes could still pick up more hardware. He still has the mixed doubles to play….