Max Mirnyi/ Daniel Nestor, Bryans Reach R16; Poles Ousted

Written by: Staff on 2nd June 2012

Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski vs Daniel Nestor and Max Mirnyi

Max Mirnyi/ Daniel Nestor, Bryans Reach R16; Poles Ousted

epa03017095 Max Mirnyi of Belarus returns to Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski both of Poland during their at ATP World Tour tennis doubles final match held in O2 Arena in London, Britain on 27 November 2011. EPA/KERIM OKTEN |

Defending champions Max Mirnyi and Daniel Nestor advanced to the third round of Roland Garros on Saturday, defeating Jordan Kerr and Paul Hanley 6-1, 7-6(0) in Paris.

The top seeds did not drop serve, and won 30 of their 31 first serve points against the Australians to prevail in 77 minutes.

Mirnyi and Nestor are bidding to lift their third trophy of the year after winning the Brisbane title and successfully defending their crown in Memphis.

Second-seeded Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan cruised into the round of 16, overwhelming 2009 titlist Lukas Dlouhy and Nicolas Mahut 6-0, 6-2. The American twins broke the Czech/French duo five times to seal the victory in one hour.

The Bryans, who won their first career major title in Paris nine years ago, will next square off against two former champions Mark Knowles (2007) and Xavier Malisse (2004).

Third seeds Michael Llodra and Nenad Zimonjic beat Yen-Hsun Lu and Go Soeda 6-3, 6-3. The French/Serbian pair hit 85 per cent of their first serves in play, taking 89 per cent of those points.

Llodra and Zimonjic are looking to add to their Rotterdam triumph, aiming to win their first major title together.

Mikhail Elgin and Denis Istomin upset seventh seeds Leander Paes and Alexander Peya 6-4, 6-1. Elgin and Istomin won 51 per cent of their return points to break serve five times. They advance to play Oliver Marach and Horacio Zeballos.

Eric Butorac and Bruno Soares also moved through to the third round, dismissing Dudi Sela and Filippo Volandri 6-3, 6-2. Butorac and Soares, who captured the Sao Paulo title in February, capitalised on three of their four break point opportunities.

“Since I’ve been knocked out in the first round the last five years, it feels good to finally get some wins on the board,” Butorac told ATPWorldTour.com. “Also, to do it in France where I lived a few years ago, makes it even more special.”

In third-round action, Daniele Bracciali and Potito Starace upended fourth-seeded Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski 7-6(4), 6-3. After winning the first set tie-break, the Italians broke in the opening game of the second set, and held their advantage to return to the final eight for the second year in a row.

Ivan Dodig and Marcelo Melo became the first team to book their place in the quarter-finals, easing past No. 8 seeds Jurgen Melzer and Philipp Petzschner 6-3, 6-1. Dodig and Melo converted four of their nine break point chances to oust the two-time Grand Slam champions in just 53 minutes.

Topics: 10sballs.com, Bob Bryan, Daniel Nestor, doubles Roland Garros, French tennis news, Max Mirnyi, Mike Bryan, Roland Garros