Put the Needle on the Record

Coverage

2010

Farmers Classic

Monday, 02 August 2010 05:56

Put the Needle on the Record

Written by Danielle Lescure

Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan d. Eric Butorac/JulienRojer – 6-7(6), 6-2, 10-7

Though still chasing Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic for the No. 1 doubles ranking, Bob and Mike Bryan left every active doubles team in the dust Sunday, clinching the record for most team doubles titles after earning No. 62 on their hometown courts. As Mark Woodforde elegantly put it during the trophy presentation, they are now “in rarefied air.” Showing their own reverence and respect for tennis history, the Bryans dedicated their win to the late great Jack Kramer, who would have turned 89 on Sunday.

“It’s been an emotional ride,” Bob Bryan confessed, “We couldn’t get the pickle out of the jar… legs felt like jelly, arms spaghetti.” The Bryans had worthy adversaries in the team of Eric Butorac and Jean-Julien Rojer, and were clearly feeling the pressure of the moment. “It kinda[sic] just hit us during the match,” Mike said. “You start counting down the points, and it gets in your head a bit.” But the brothers have a weapon not every other team can count on – each other. “We never give up on each other,” Bob stated emphatically. It also helped to have a lot of friends and family in their corner. “We were only missing two family members. It was like Thanksgiving,” Bob smiled.

Bob and Mike celerbrate the win

These two are not content to rest on their laurels, however. They intend to “shoot for the stars” and want to regain that top ranking. The Bryans are off to D.C. next, but there will likely be a bit more celebrating to do first for the hometown heroes. As Bob said, “This is a storybook ending.”

The Leader of the Pack

Sam Querrey d. Andy Murray – 5-7, 7-6(2), 6-3

California boy Sam Querrey had yet to take a set off of Andy Murray in their four previous meetings, and he seemed to be on his way to an encore losing performance after surrendering his lead and the first set to the British top seed. But after coming back from the brink all week long, Querrey has truly become the comeback king; and Sunday afternoon, it earned him the crown.

Querrey has won his fourth singles title of the year in LA, his sixth overall

This is the first time in the tournament’s 84-year history that both the singles and doubles Champions have won back-to-back titles. Querrey said this repeat win has been one of the most satisfying moments of his career. “The feeling out there, I was really excited. And to do it in the fashion of the matches that I played was great, and, also, to do it against the No. 4 player in the world was really special.” Being patient also paid off. “You’re never out of it; you can’t give up. I wasn’t going to give it to him; I was going to make him come up with a shot to beat me.” Looking ahead to the remaining tournaments leading up to the U.S. Open, Querrey commented: “I’m taking the baby steps going forward, and, hopefully, it’ll just keep going up… this tournament is a great stepping stone.”

Querrey only trails Rafael Nadal in number of singles titles won this season. All of Querrey's have come on different surfaces.

Despite the loss, Murray, who received a wildcard into Farmers Classic, considered this to have been a successful week after the long break following his Wimbledon semifinal. “I’ve gotta be happy with getting to the final and having chances to win. It was a good week. Had chances, didn’t take them. And that’s the difference between winning and losing.”

Photos by Danielle Lescure

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