Bryan brothers battle various elements to claim fourth Rogers Cup

Bob (left) and Mike Bryan endured an unusual schedule to capture their fourth Rogers Cup. (photo by Kwai Chan / Meniscus Magazine) — Bob (left) and Mike Bryan endured an unusual schedule to capture their fourth Rogers Cup.
(photo by Kwai Chan / Meniscus Magazine)

Jet lag. Numerous rain delays. Two doubleheaders in two days, with an opening match played before zero spectators.

This wasn’t quite the same atmosphere as London 2012 for newly-crowned Olympic gold medalists Bob and Mike Bryan, but the American doubles team took it all in stride en route to their fourth Rogers Cup title on Sunday in Toronto.

Sort of.

Before defeating the Spanish team of Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez 6-1, 4-6, 12-10 – saving a match point in the process – the Bryan brothers had to get through their semifinal match earlier in the day. Because rainstorms throughout the week had backed up the schedule, they defeated the team of Jurgen Melzer and Leander Paes outside of Sunday’s pre-determined ticketed session time.

In addition, the Bryans’ North American homecoming took place away from the tournament site at York University.

“I think the toughest match of the week was the first match because we went from the Centre Court at Wimbledon – seeing the flag go up and being on the podium – to playing at an indoor club in the middle of a long row of courts,” Bob said. “No fans, bad lighting, bad bounces.”

“We went down a quick 5-2,” said Mike. “They missed a let call, [a] line call. I said, ‘That’s it.’”

“I thought he was going to quit,” Bob added. “I thought he was just going to walk off the court and pull a Jeff Tarango.”

Instead, with their victory in Toronto, the brothers qualified for the year-end Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, where they’ll head back to the 2012 Olympic host city as one of the eight best doubles teams.

“You kind of ride the momentum of winning the big tournament,” Mike said of overcoming the high of the Olympics and the subsequent fatigue. “Sometimes we have done it before where we get a long streak of wins going, and wins kind of lift you and give you energy. That’s what happened this week, I think.”

Photo Gallery: Rogers Cup doubles final, Aug. 12, 2012
Bob & Mike Bryan def. Marcel Granollers & Marc Lopez, 6-1, 4-6, 12-10
all photos by Kwai Chan / Meniscus Magazine