Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek knocked off top seeds Bob and Mike Bryan 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in their semi-final showdown at the US Open.
The loss ends the Bryans’ bid to achieve the first men’s doubles calendar Grand Slam since 1951.
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Bob Bryan (lost to Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek 3-6, 6-3, 6-4):
“We’re very disappointed. I mean, as competitors we hate to lose, and we knew what was riding on this match and the opportunity of what we could have accomplished. Got that. And then in one sense it’s, you know, it’s a little bit of a relief where you get to kind of exhale for the first time in a few months. You know, all this Grand Slam talk has been in the back of our head, and it’s been an honour to be a part of this run with Mike. It’s been a great 12 months. You know, we would have never dreamed it would have been this sweet and we would have scraped out this many close matches. Today all that kind luck that’s been on our side went against us. Those guys played a great match, and, you know, we wish them luck in the finals. But, yeah, it’s a little bit of a relief. You know, now we can move on and work on the next run.”
Bob Bryan:
“I don’t know about Mike, but I have had a tough time sleeping in the last couple weeks.” SOUNDBITE (English): Mike Bryan – “Yeah, I mean, it’s been in the back of our mind, you know, the whole way. I think once we got out there, you know, you try to put it aside. But you win a set and then you’re seeing, Okay, you’re three sets away from a Grand Slam. Every point just becomes a little bit bigger, every moment. You know, it makes it a little tougher, I think. But, you know, we’re pretty fortunate to have this opportunity. You know, played three matches on Arthur Ashe stadium in a row. Played our third round out there on TV, which doesn’t happen pretty much ever in doubles. The crowds were great. 28 matches in a row in Grand Slams might not ever happen again, so, you know, we feel like we did all we can do. Probably never going to have another shot at it, so…”SOUNDBITE (English): Bob Bryan – “Realistically, no.” SOUNDBITE (English): Mike Bryan – “Realistically it will probably never happen. The margins are just so fine in doubles. There are just too many great teams out there.”
Leander Paes:
“I have tremendous respect for the boys. They are great champions, great ambassadors for the game. Just the record that they have even before this year shows how great they are as a team. What they have done this year is something really special.”
