The Bryan Bros. Win #97 at River Oaks & They Are The Only Americans Playing In Monte Carlo

Written by: on 15th April 2014
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The Bryan Bros. Win #97 at River Oaks & They Are The Only Americans Playing In Monte Carlo  |

Bryan Brothers Win Houston for the Fifth Time

 

 

Bob and Mike Bryan edged closer to their 100th team title on Saturday, rallying for a 4-6, 6-4, 11-9 victory over David Marrero and Fernando Verdasco of Spain in the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship final at the picturesque and historic River Oaks Country Club.

 

It was the Bryans’ fifth Houston crown and 97th overall. The top-seeded American duo extended their winning streak to 17 straight, claiming their fourth consecutive title after recently hoisting the trophies at Delray Beach, Indian Wells and Miami.

 

“It was a match that could have gone either way,” said Bob. “It gives us confidence going into the European clay-court season, beating such a tough clay-court team. They kept us off balance all day with great serving and huge forehands.”

 

The Spaniards won the first set after breaking serve in the seventh game, but it was the Bryans who would regain the momentum after Verdasco netted a backhand volley down set point in the second.

 

In the third set Super Tie Breaker, the California twins would dig in their heels after seeing a 9-7 lead slip away in the ensuing Match Tie-break, however, prevailing 11-9 after 81 minutes on court.

 

Bob and Mike improved to 31-7 all-time on the clay of Houston, registering their fifth victory over Marrero-Verdasco in six meetings. Verdasco was able to win the Singles Championship, defeating countryman Nicolas Almagro in straight sets on Sunday.

 

“We’re ecstatic to leave Houston with another title,” said Mike, who exited the River Oaks Country Club with 99 titles, two more than Bob. “We’ve played great tennis in the past here and we did again this week. That was just a gritty performance against a tough team.” Excerpted from the ATP World Tour WEB Site. Pictures courtesy of Aaron Sprecher.

 

 

Fast Facts:

 

*** Wins this week at Houston: def. Nick Monroe-Donald Young (USA), 6-3, 6-4; Matthew Ebden-Samuel Groth (Australia), 6-2, 3-6, 12-10; Chris Guccione-Lleyton Hewitt (Australia), 7-5, 6-3; David Marrero- Fernando Verdasco (Spain), 4-6, 6-4, 11-9.

 

*** Mike and Bob enjoyed chatting with President George Bush, #41, before their Thursday Night semifinal. They have always appreciated when he has come out to root them on when they play there. All-time Aussie great Roy Emerson was also on hand but he understandably rooted for his countrymen, Guccione-Hewitt.

 

*** All four of the Bryan Bros. doubles matches were in prime time and sold out. Mike and Bob send along their thanks to great and cool Tournament Director, Van Barry, and his assistant TD, Bronwyn Greer and their staff and volunteers. They all do a grand job and their attendance for this year’s event was the best ever.

 

*** The Bryan Bros. Band rocked the house at the gala River Oaks Country Club Party on Thursday Night. Jim Bogios of the Counting Crows not only played phenomenal drums, he also sang lead on several songs as did Hollywood star musician and front man, George Holdcroft. Young Mia Heckler sat in and sang a couple of great songs as well, while Bobby Agosto sang while Bob and Wayne played piano upstairs after the final.

 

*** Gilly Agosto and her transpo team did another amazing and smooth job for all the players and officials.

 

*** Mike and Bob played a sold out charity Exo called the Hill Country Challenge at Horseshoe Bend last Saturday Night benefiting Loriana Hernandez and her bout with Leukemia. They also did a Pro Am and Clinic for ProLink Live headed up by music and tennis event promoter extraordinaire Tim Stallard.

 

*** Coach Wayne Bryan emceed both the Exo and the US Clay Court Championships and he has finally returned home after being on the road since Feb. 1. He enjoyed working alongside Greg Sharko of the ATP and Houston Chronicle’s star sportswriter, Dale Robertson. Pete Holtermann was so nice and helpful as usual and Coach B enjoyed getting to know Pete’s nice assistant, Taylor Anne Crosby.

 

*** The Bros. had a blast hanging with their longtime pal and Stanford teammate Ali Ansari while in H Town.

 

*** Spanish Hills CC Tennis Director was in town visiting his son Stefan McKinney who is a pro there at River Oaks and both rooted the Bros. on to the title.

 

*** The Bros. are now in Monte Carlo playing this week and upon their arrival were whisked to the Palace to once again have a nice dinner with their friend Prince Albert.

 

*** Bob reports that he is now feeling better after suffering from a bad stomach virus in Texas for the past week.

 

*** Congrats to Mike’s wife, Lucie and her wonder horse, Monty, from Wales, for taking two Ribbons and being the Reserve Champion at the LA Equestrian Center Horseshow last weekend. Lucie’s pal, Kaley Cuoco, the star of the Big Bang Theory, also was a big winner at the event.

 

*** Bob’s wife, Michelle, is doing a wonderful job taking care of two year old Micaela and 3 month old Bobby Jr. while Bob is away. They will all hook up soon when Bob returns to Sunny Isles after Monte Carlo and before going over to Europe again for Madrid and Rome.

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