Bryans cruise in doubles during Davis Cup play
SEVILLE, Spain – The Bryan twins stopped Spain’s momentum in the Davis Cup final. Now it’s up to Andy Roddick and Mardy Fish.
Bob and Mike Bryan defeated Tommy Robredo and Juan Carlos Ferrero in 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 Saturday, leaving the Americans down 2-1 entering today’s singles in the best-of-5 series. The Californians are 5-0 in Davis Cup doubles and haven’t dropped a set.
“We obviously have a lot of work tomorrow, but we know what we have to accomplish now,” said Fish, who could face Rafael Nadal in the deciding fifth match today, provided Roddick gets by Carlos Moya in the first singles match.
One team in Davis Cup history has come back to win after being down 2-0 in the final. That was Australia in 1939 against the United States. The Americans have won the Davis Cup 31 times, but not since 1995. Spain is seeking its second title.
“It’s a big task. We know what we have in front of us,” added Fish, who gave his team a rallying cry Friday after the Americans lost both singles.
“We went back to the hotel and were thinking about comebacks,” said Fish, who came up with one: “Remember the Red Sox.”
The Americans will need all the inspiration they can find on the slow clay, where the Spaniards are so strong and will be backed by 27,200 screaming fans at Olympic Stadium, a covered but open-air venue.
On Friday, Fish went down tamely in three sets against Moya, and 18-year-old Nadal upset Roddick in four sets.
The Bryans overpowered Robredo and Ferrero, with Ferrero managing to hold serve only once. The twins came in behind every serve, either hitting the ball right at – or right past – the Spaniards. Spanish captain Jordi Arrese called the brothers “great players in doubles.”
Dozens of winning points were cheered by the twins’ flag-waving grandparents, Carl and Alice Bryan, who sat behind the American bench. Leading the Spanish cheering was Prince Felipe, the heir to the Spanish throne, and his wife, Princess Letizia.
“It feels good, but it’s not going to be as good if we don’t win two tomorrow,” Mike Bryan said “It feels good to give those guys another shot, and Spain has to go to sleep on that.”
Added Bob: “I’m really confident in Andy winning that first match, and then anything can happen.”
U.S. captain Patrick McEnroe took over the team four years ago and has built it from scratch. Although he talked with Andre Agassi about joining the squad for the final – Agassi said no – he has stuck with his young players.